What Is a Prostate Exam?
A prostate exam is one of the procedures or tests doctors recommend for males, particularly men who are middle aged and older. For many reasons, some men do not get a yearly prostate exam as recommended, and those who never have had the procedure done can be unfamiliar with what happens during the exam and why it is necessary.
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Definition
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A prostate exam is a physical examination of the prostate gland of a male. The prostate gland is a gland that surrounds the duct that connects the male genitalia to the bladder. The main function of the gland is to produce and store seminal fluid, which is why it is found only in males. The gland is prone to various cancers and the exam thus attempts to detect those conditions.
What Happens
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In a standard prostate exam, a doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the patient's anus while the patient is bent over with legs slightly spread. This position helps the doctor access the prostate easily and reduces discomfort for the patient. The physician feels around gently to detect the size, shape, and texture of the prostate gland. The exam takes less than a minute.
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Benefits
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A prostate exam's most prominent benefit is the detection of prostate cancer. If detected early enough, patients who are found to have cancer can begin treatments that can slow the progression of their disease or send it into remission.
Dangers
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There are no dangers associated with a standard prostate exam, although the patient may feel some slight discomfort during the procedure.
Supplemental Procedures
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A supplemental procedure that is sometimes done in conjunction with or in place of a prostate exam is a PSA blood test. This test is better at detecting prostate cancers than the exam, but the physical exam can pick up on cancers that don't show up on the PSA test.
Who Should Get One
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Any male who has consistent, frequent urination should get a prostate exam, as frequent urination is a sign of a prostate problem. Generally, screening is recommended for males starting at 40 years of age. Annual exams are recommended for men over 50 years old.
Why to Get One
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Prostate cancers are common in males, especially those who are middle-aged or older. Getting a prostate exam every year, or when a problem with frequent urination is noticed, can raise the odds of a cancer being detected early enough for treatment.
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