Does the doctor check the prostate during a colonoscopy?

I saw the report of my last colonoscopy. The doctor made a comment about my prostate, but he did not tell me about it. So he also examined it. Did someone have the same experience?

I do not know why a gastroenterologist would check the prostate during a colonoscopy. They may very well do a digital rectal exam before inserting the tube. Maybe some of more medically knowledgable members would have more insight. I would leave the prostate exam to my PCP or Urologist. I googled "Do gastroenterologist examine the prostate" and there are mixed articles.

I have not yet had a colonoscopy, however I have not heard of anyone saying anything about their prostate getting checked.

I've had two colonoscopies and have no idea if the doctors examined my prostate. I didn't see a report after the colonoscopies but maybe my regular doctors have. After my first colonoscopy, I saw my internist for my regular physical and he did a rectal and prostate exam even though he said something like "you had a colonoscopy last year but I will do a rectal exam anyway". Maybe the doc who did the colonoscopy mentioned doing a prostate exam as part of it and my regular doc saw that. Or maybe my regular doc assumed that the gastroenterologist did a prostate exam during the colonoscopy. I had already been sedated both times before the gastroenterologist did anything and have no memory of a rectal exam or anything else before the scope goes in. I have wondered if male patients react to the gastroenterologist doing a rectal exam before the scope goes as I would guess that under the conscious sedation drugs a patient might move or talk during the colonoscopy. I did hear once that patients under conscious sedation respond to the doctor telling them that they need to move during the colonoscopy but I don't know if patients have to move from their side into a different position. I have always started out turned on my left side but after that I have no idea.

I did a google search on "Prostate exam during colonoscopy". There were mixed results - some gastroenterologists do it - most don't. Don't know the dates exactly when those surveys were taken. Given that a DRE is not regarded a reliable test by many doctors - I would guess most don't. One Dr. said inserting a finger in the rectum before the probe is on the "check-list" for both men and women getting a colonoscopy.

Why don't you call them up and ask for clarification about what the comment means if they didn't explain it to you? That would directly answer your questions about what they did and what the comment means.

Still hoping I'm at least 5 years away from being able to answer the "do they" question for you from personal experience.

I've had 10 colonoscopies and don't believe that the Dr. checked my prostate size on any of them. I see mu urologist every 6 months and the only time he did a DRE was on my first visit. I get a PSA test every year by my FP Dr.

The comment about my prostate is clear, I mean that it could be interessant to publish the whole part of report concerning the start of the examination, you could better understand what the doctor made before starting the colonoscopy. I will translate it tomorrow.

When you go for a colonoscopy the Dr. Does a rectal exam on all patients.

The basic reason is to see if there are any obstructions in the rectum and also to see if any internal hemorrhoids or fissures and to observe the tone of the sphincter muscles.

You should ask the Dr why he said what he said on the report.

You should ask the Dr why he said what he said on the report.

Reports are generally not for the patient, but for other doctors. I was surprised to get a copy after the colonoscopy and it is incomplete, the analysis of the removed polyps is missing. I suppose that my GP will get a second one with the results. I will discuss with him.

Reports are generally not for the patient, but for other doctors.

It's my understanding that you can request copies of any and all of your medical records. Maybe they don't automatically provide a copy of a report - but if you ask, they will provide it to you. You may have to make a written request and go through medical records. I get CD's of all MRI's we've had. They include all the scans, an application to view them with (Osirx), and the radiologists report. One facility charged $5 for the CD.

It's my understanding that you can request copies of any and all of your medical records.

I changed my GP two years ago and the former one gave me all the paper reports. I had to present an ID card to pick up them. I did not pay anything. The new doctor gave them back to me after having scanned them. There is no mention of prostate exam in the report of my first colonoscopy five years ago.

I also have complete check-up reports from a clinic.

I have had my prostate examined but some weeks before my colonoscopy.

The Doctor did however stick his finger up my anus at the start of the colonoscopy to assist the insertion of the camera.

As announced, here is the translation of extracts of the report:

Findings:

Proctology:

Inspection of the anal region without pathological findings. Unremarkable palpation findings. Mucous membrane smooth and movable, no resistance, no blood on the glove. Slightly enlarged prostate.

…

Evaluation:

1. Polyps (with description)

2. Diverticulitis (with description)

3. Prostatic hyperplasia

Last month, I had my second colonoscopy. This time, I had the procedure done while being unsedated. Before inserting the scope, the doctor did insert his finger into my rectum. There was no rotation as in a routine prostate exam ... only insertion. There was no reference/mention of my prostate in the final report which was sent to my internal medicine doctor.

Honestly, it’s the perfect time to check your prostate. All doctors, including specialists go through training for it. I will definitely request it when I get my next colonoscopy. It just makes sense; the doc is already back there!

However, I will skip it at checkups. Once in a while is more than adequate for me.

Gastroenterologists usually aren’t going to check prostate. I have had 3 colonoscopies with 2 different doctors and neither did a prostate exam.

Ok my personal experience, I had a colonoscopy just versed, I also take benzos for anxiety and the verses did little to nothing any I was completely awake and aware of my colonoscopy, I had it set that if it was too much they would give me fentanyl, anyway before I was even scheduled I had a DRE by the PA who scheduled the colonoscopy, the PA did examine the prostate but didn’t say anything about it. As for the colonoscopy after having to wait to long after getting hooked up to everything I had to go yet again, the nurse brought me a bedpan, shortly after that off to the procedure room I was given versed rolled onto the left side gown and sheet pull up exposing you to the whole room, the doctor told me she was gonna take a quick look which meant to Me spread my cheeks and look which she did as I felt a massive amount of cool gel and her finger slide all the way in with a quick twist and out, in went the scope and there was some minor discomfort here and there and she got to the end and was like if you made it through that it’s easier from here, I watched the whole thing and will not ever have sedation for one again there was no need in my opinion. Anyway there was no prostate exam performed right before my colonoscopy .

During my first colonoscopy, the last thing I remember before falling asleep, was the doctor telling me he was going to examine my prostate. I vaguely remember his finger penetrating my anus.

Digital exams are pretty routine during a colonoscopy. Not necessarily a prostate exam. From the web: Prostate exams are often done during a colonoscopy - but it's not a standard. Most interesting is the final statement that 62% of endoscopists do not feel confident in recognizing prostate pathology on digital edam. If my urologists feels that a DRE is useful, I'll leave it up to him.

“44% of patients believed that the prostate was examined during colonoscopy. 87% felt that it should be examined during each colonoscopy. 93% of GP’s did not reduce their frequency of prostate cancer screening when patients had a recent colonoscopy. 20% GP’s expected the prostate to be examined at time of colonoscopy. 43% of Endoscopists reported performing prostate exams at least 75% of the time, and 28.5% performed them during each colonoscopy. 29% of Endoscopists believed that patients expect for their prostate to be examined during colonoscopy. 62% do not feel confident in recognizing prostate pathology on digital examination.”

Just checked my last report. Report said he did a digital rectal exam and no demonstrated no mass.

Most interesting is the final statement that 62% of endoscopists do not feel confident in recognizing prostate pathology on digital edam.

I think that most doctors are risk-averse. If their area of expertise is the colon, they stick to that. If you wind up with prostate issues, you will not be able to blame to GI doctor for not detecting it. If you bring your car to a brake specialist, you have no cause to malign him for not diagnosing a transmission problem.

@Monty: I think that most doctors are risk-averse.

So true - risk and lawsuit averse.

Part of it also may be that on surgery days they are running an assembly line multiple procedures/day isn't uncommon from. 6 AM to ??PM. And all that they do has to be documented as well. Not sure that's being risk adverse - like @Morty said - they aren't specialists in that area. Plus, it's questionable whether a DRE Prostate exam is useful or not. My PCP back in Texas once did a DRE on me, the next year she said I'd be better off seeing a urologist for any prostate issues/concerns. Same reason for seeing dermatologist who has more specific training and experience with skin problems.

I've had 3 colonoscopy's and I'm sure they don't examine your prostate. I know for sure he didn't on the 3rd because I wasn't sedated.

It's my understanding that you can request copies of any and all of your medical records. Maybe they don't automatically provide a copy of a report - but if you ask, they will provide it to you.

Absolutely and you should review your records every time. The same for bloodwork.

I have had several colonoscopies over the last 20+ years and none of the doctors ever examined my prostate. The only rectal exam he did was to lubricate my anus for the colonoscope before inserting the tip of it into my rectum. There was no need to check to see if there was any obstruction in there since I had done the cleanout prep.