Digital rectal exam

DRE

The provider will first look at the outside of the anus for hemorrhoids or fissures. Then the provider will put on a glove and insert a lubricated finger into the rectum. In women, this exam may be done at the same time as a pelvic exam.

For the test, the provider will ask you to:

• Try to relax
• Take a deep breath during the insertion of the finger into your rectum

You may feel mild discomfort during this test.

This test is performed for many reasons. It may be done:

• As part of a routine yearly physical exam in both men and women
• When your provider suspects you are bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract
• When men are having symptoms that suggest the prostate is enlarged or you may have a prostate infection

In men, the test can be used to check the size of the prostate and to look for abnormal bumps or other changes of the prostate gland.

A digital rectal exam may be done to collect stool for testing for fecal occult (hidden) blood as part of screening for cancer of the rectum or colon.

A normal finding means the provider did not detect any problem during the exam. However, this test does not rule out all problems.

An abnormal result may be due to:

• A prostate problem, such as an enlarged prostate gland, prostate infection, or prostate cancer
• Bleeding anywhere in the digestive tract
• Cancer of the rectum or colon
• Small split or tear in the thin moist tissue lining of the anus (called anal fissure)
• An abscess, when pus collects in the area of the anus and rectum
• Hemorrhoids, swollen veins in the anus or lower part of the rectum