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Digital Rectal Exam
What Is A Digital Rectal Exam?
A digital rectal exam is an examination of the lower rectum. The doctor will use his or her fingers to look for signs of problems. She will wear gloves at all times to prevent contamination and will be as gentle as possible to prevent pain and discomfort. This kind of exam can make many people frightened or nervous, but there's no need to be afraid of it.
A rectal exam could help you find out about health problems that you weren't aware of before. It won't rule out problems completely, but it could help you find them before they get worse. This kind of exam could actually save your life.
When Should You Have A Rectal Exam?
There are a number of symptoms that might cause your doctor to believe a rectal exam is appropriate:
- People who urinate more often than they should may need one.
- People who have pain deep in their abdomens are also candidates.
This is because some of the problems that occur in the rectum affect other systems. The exam can detect polyps and tumors in the last few inches of the colon. Without an exam, you may not be aware of these growths until they become much larger.
This does not mean that it's a good method for colon cancer screening by itself. Your doctor will probably also recommend other tests to help make sure that you don't have cancer. These tests can detect colon cancer in the very earliest stages. That allows you to get treatment before the cancer can advance into more dangerous stages.
People who receive treatment early have much higher rates of survival and need much less aggressive treatment to remove their tumors.
What Happens During A Digital Rectal Exam
The actual examination takes only one or two minutes. You'll find out the results shortly afterward. You won't need to do any special preparation for the exam. However, you will need to take off or pull down your clothes and lie on the exam table with your knees pulled up to your chest. The exam can also be given using the stirrups for women or bending over the exam table for men. Your doctor may allow you to choose the position which is the most comfortable for you.
Your doctor will first put on sterile examination gloves and examine the outside of the anus for tears or other problems. Then she will insert a lubricated finger into the rectum. Women may have this exam done along with their pelvic exam.
It's important to relax before the examination occurs. The doctor will ask you to take a deep breath in order to help relax your muscles. You may also be asked to bear down during the exam. This kind of test may feel uncomfortable, but it should never hurt. You should tell your doctor right away if you experience pain or bleeding after the exam.
Why Is This Exam Performed?
A digital rectal exam is performed for many different reasons. Most people have it done as part of their yearly physical. Men will have their prostate gland examined as part of this test.
One common reason for doing this kind of exam is screening for colon or rectal cancer. This type of exam isn't a sure way to tell whether or not you have colon cancer. That means you should never rely on it alone. But it can help you find the signs before the cancer can become advanced.
This kind of examination is also done as part of preparing for a colonoscopy. Preparation for a colonoscopy requires the doctor to make sure that there is nothing in the way of the instruments to be used.
The result is considered normal when the doctor doesn't feel anything unusual. Just remember that a "normal" test result doesn't rule out other potential problems. Your doctor will arrange follow up testing to find out more if your exam results are not normal.
It's important not to avoid this examination even though it can be uncomfortable. A rectal exam might be the test that helps you detect colon cancer early.
You will have a longer and healthier life if you make sure you have all tests performed when they need to be done. We hope knowing about this rectal exam will help you be less worried about it. You'll be able to get through it quickly and easily. Remember to talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you have before the exam.
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