What to expect?

I am 34 years old, and it's been a long time since my last physical. There is a history of prostate cancr in my family. Should I expect a DRE?

Yes

Its a normal procedure with anyone with a history

Just wondering. What else should I expect?

Look around this site enough, pull up the threads about DRE's and male physicals etc. This site is a plethora of information. THen if you still have questions, ask one of the true TRUE medical professionals on this board. THey will help you.

You can also Google 'what should I expect' or a similar phrase to find websites which have exams discussed what age groups and sexes. My personal suggestion is that you think through what you feel, as a patient, you need from an exam, make that clear if you meet with your doctor to go over your history, the doctor often asking 'why did you come in today?' and/or via the receptionist when making the appointment although that person may only have some time control over bookings. In a recent example, I mentioned to the receptionist that I actually needed a physical exam done. The way the practice worked, the first patient/doctor appointment normally didn't include one: it was intended for a meet and greet session. If a receptionist can't/won't answer the question and/or put you on hold and ask someone, it may indicate something about the practice.

Unless you are having symptoms which point to a possibility of prostate cancer, you should get both a DRE (this is the secondary test these days) and a PSA. This is a blood test to check the level of Prostate Specific Antigen. At your age, you should receive this test anyway to establish a baseline value. As a matter of fact, given your family history, you should insist on the baseline PSA.

Neither of these tests is a big deal.

Speed

I go next week. We'll see what happens.

Well, I go in for my exam this afternoon. I must admit, I do have a bit of anxiety about the whole thing. I'll report back later on what happened.

Just got back from my physical. It was extremely uneventful. After I peed in a cup, I waited patiently in the exam room. The doctor came in, and reviewed the family medical history with me (3 minutes). She explained to me that given my family history it will be good to start prostate screening at age 40. No finger up the butt today. She looked in my ears, in my eyes, and in my mouth. She then checked my reflexes, and felt my belly. That was it. She gave me instructions to return next month for some blood work. The whole thing lasted every bit of 8 minutes. I wasn't really impressed at all. Is this typical these days?

Is this typical these days?

I think it really depends on the doctor. I've had very good, thorough doctors that spend a lot of time with you and make sure that they cover everything. And then I've had some that sound just like your doctor.

This is one reason I've switched back to a nurse practitioner for my physicals. The one I see now is very thorough and she doesn't rush through the exam. She spends a good bit of time talking with me and reviewing my history, then she takes her time doing the exam. If you've never tried a NP, I'd recommend you find an office that has one or two of them and just give it a go. After the "exam" that you received from your doctor, what do you have to lose?

Difficult to say what you should have received without knowing what kind of doctor you saw. If it was a family practice physician or regular practice doctor at a clinic, then you maybe received a basic exam. If you went to an internal medicine doctor, you probably would have received a complete exam. I have had experiences with both types. At a regular doctor, maybe shirt off and pants down for a quick hernia exam. At an internal medicine doctor, I have always been undressed more. Sometimes had to strip completely and put on a johnny. Sometimes stripped to my shorts. I have never been to an internal medicine doctor that didn't do a rectal exam, even when I was in my twenties.