How Does
What Happens During a Prostate Exam?
Preparation
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The first part of a prostate exam is you strip down and get into a gown. The doctor explains that he is going to use his finger to do the exam. This exam is called a digital rectal exam (DRE).
Position
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After the doctor has explained the procedure, he will have you either lie on your side on the table with your knees up toward your chest, or stand over the table with your back facing him and your legs about shoulder width apart.
Insertion
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The doctor then puts on surgical gloves and applies lubrication to one of his fingers. He then inserts his finger into the rectum and locates the prostate. He feels around for abnormalities, bumps and any kind of soft or hard spots. He then takes his finger back out and the process is over. It usually only takes about a minute or less.
Blood Test
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Sometimes your doctor will recommend a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This is a test that measures the amount of prostate cells there are in the blood stream. It is generally recommended for men over 50 years of age.
eHow Article: What Happens During a Prostate Exam?
