Rectal at yearly urologist appointment

Looks like I'll be going to my urologist for a psa every year. Should I expect a rectal every year?

I always get a thorough rectal exam from my urologist- having had prostate surgery some years ago, she checks the area where it once resided, I expect for any signs of an abnormality or change. Despite the fact that I do not have a prostate, my urologist tells me that a reoccurrence of the cancer would be signaled by an increase in PSA, from less than the .06 it’s been since the surgery, so I have blood drawn for a PSA test two weeks prior to my yearly exam.

My appointment form says to get bloodwork one week prior to my appointment so I'm guessing I will be getting a yearly rectal along with the psa blood test. I say it's better to get both tests imo

If you're going to a urologist for prostate issues, I would expect both PSA and DRE.

Ok thanks. Not really prostate issues but once in a while urinary issues. Sure I'll be getting a genital exam every year as well

I receive an annual psa test and dre from my male urologist. I am cautioned not to ejaculate 4 days before the blood work.

I receive the rectal exam by dropping my pants and bending over the exam table. Unfortunately, there is no chaperone and the exam is over way too be quickly lol

I go every year to my urologist a PSA blood test 1 week prior. No riding bike, lawnmower or sex 1 week prior. That can make your numbers higher. Also DRE is always done. Only once did I have a intern in the room to observe.

My new urologist saw a small bit of prostate enlargement, so I'll have to return every year from now on.

If your lucky, not only will you get a DRE and PSA blood test (PSA not done if you're more than 70 years old) you may also undergo a TRUS (trans rectal ultrasound). Probe is about the same diameter as a finger, but is longer. Takes about a minute while the MD moves the probe around to get ultra sound pictures of the prostate. You're on your left side in the SIMS position which is far more comfortable than bent over an exam table. Routine use of TRUS is used to measure the size of the prostate before treating BPH; however, it is also used if the MD needs to do a biopsy, if the MD suspects prostate cancer.

@jofesig

If your lucky, not only will you get a DRE and PSA blood test (PSA not done if you're less than 70 years old) you may also undergo a TRUS (trans rectal ultrasound).

Huh.

I'm 64 and have had 3 PSA tests.

I get a PSA test every year and a rectal exam every 6 months. it takes 15 to 20 seconds for the rectal exam and i am on the exam table on my hands and knees. i tell the doctor this is the way i want it done.

Ok so I definitely have something to look forward to since my urologist is very thorough

As my urologist told me one time: as men get older, only three things, keep getting larger - the nose, the ears, and the prostate!

My last PSA was 8.4 my Urologist thinks i have Prostate Cancer my test biopsy prostate have showed nothing but he keeps looking so now he want's me to do a MRI see if it shows anything …How about you guys what is your PSA Numbers….THANKS

Range is supposed to be 0-4. Last year I believe it was 2.4. A few years ago it was 25.4, scared the shit outta me! But the test was just after a UTI infection which I never had before. Dr. prescribed another antibiotic for the prostate and told me to get tested again in 6 weeks. Came back normal thank God.

Odd , My urologist never went anywhere my rear . Just what seamed to me a long time with the camera in me . After it came out he told me my prostate looked fine . How he could determine the size from inside , I have no idea . I did enjoy the grip his nurse had on my penis to keep the water he was pumping in with the camera from leaking out . I had to do math problem's in my head so as not to embarrass myself

I'm 71 and my PSA is always .1 or .2. The first time my Dr got the results of my PSA he asked me if I had had my prostate removed because it was so low. I don't know why it is so low….but it is nice that even at my age 99% of the time I am still sleeping through the night without getting up to pee even once. The Dr never does a DRE after seeing my lab work. The last time I had a rectal exam was at least 20 years ago, maybe longer.

I’m 67. Never been to a urologist. I’m perfectly fine with that.

While there is some questioning of whether a DRE is a valid or meaningful test - my urologist says he has found nodes etc. that have turned out to be cancerous during a DRE and still recommends them. Not a fan of them (from a medical perspective) - but they are quick and easy and really not a big deal. Not sure about any false-positives that that have come from a DRE - but that would be a concern. You can find articles on both sides of the issue…….

https://www.mdlinx.com/article/should-the-digital-rectal-examination-still-be-used-to-screen-for-prostate-cancer/lfc-1552

I really think both the psa blood test and rectal should still be used when screening for prostate cancer. I feel that the urologist can feel for things the blood test might not pickup when being examined rectally. I'm sure most of you would agree with me. And it's always better to be safe than sorry

I get PSA tested twice/year per my urologists instructions, but haven’t had a DRE in several years. I’m not certain what the explanation is but I have no intention of complaining or asking questions. I’ve had enough fingers up my butt.

My rectum has been used as access to help guide instruments during urethral procedures, but never at my yearly urology checkup.

I'm 36, had annual labs done about a month ago and PSA was part of it.

Something to remember guys. I had two grandfathers that had prostate cancer, along with four of my mother's six brothers. Her youngest brother was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and had to have his prostate removed because the cancer was so aggressive. My mother's youngest brother had a PSA of 2.0 when he was diagnosed with his prostate cancer. The PSA is nice for picking up things that a DRE might not, but my uncle is proof that the PSA is not foolproof. On a side note, the doctor that removed his prostate said that it could have probably been treated and the prostate saved if his primary care doctor had been doing the DRE, instead of only the PSA.

A fellow I know went for a physical upon getting medicare insurance. The doctor said “we should do the DRE, OK ? ” he agreed to it………. the Dr. found his prostate to be abnormal and sent him to a Urologist, it turned out to be cancer.

He told me he had NO symptoms………….

Good to know guys, thank you. That's the reason why I think it's better to get both tests done cause things can be missed sometimes. Diagnosing a condition shouldn't always be based on bloodwork

I have had a PSA and a DRE at least 6 times in last ten years and both were currently done by my NMD. no harm to me in getting both tests done. Better peace of mind. K

This is all good to know. My doctors tend To be reluctant about doing DREs and like to take the PSA test at its word. these horror stories might make me start insisting on the DRE at my annual physicals.

Unfortunately, neither test is very accurate, but it’s the best they’ve got - at least today. Curious what data is out there on false positives/negatives.

I have always had to do a PSA before and

A rectal exam during my yearly. This year, I got scoped to check on the healing after removal of my prostate. The Dr said it was as big as a grapefruit. He had to take so much that i now have to use a penis clamp to prevent leaks.

My PSA before was 13. The highest ever was 33. No cancer was found. PSA now is .02.