At what age are doctors doing prostate exams nowadays?

Is 40 the right age for the first prostate exam? At what age is it part of your regular annual physical? I know this may vary by country, I would like to learn from your experiences from around the world, not just here in the States.

Generally 40 unless family history of problems. I was 18 for my college physical when my pediatrician surprised me.

I had two done prior to turning fifty one when I was twenty eight and one at forty. And now I have been given one every year since I have turned fifty.

Generally 40 unless family history of problems. I was 18 for my college physical when my pediatrician surprised me.

I also was surprised when I received a prostate exam at my college physical, by my father's doctor. I know a few other guys who had prostate exams at their college physicals. Seems to have been the thing to do back then.

I believe 50 is the current golden age in the USA to begin prostate exams, assuming you are asymptomatic and not in a high risk category. In that case, exams may begin earlier. It is also highly dependent on the doctor, some do DRE, some PSA testing, some both, some neither.

I was 46 and at a new to me PCP for a new patient physical. It completely took me by surprise. He had just finished with the longest and most thorough genital and hernia exam I've ever had. I thought we were done, so I actually pulled my pants up and was in mid-zip when he walked over to the exam table and said, "I do need to go ahead and examine your prostate too". He then bent over the table and demonstrated the position he wanted me in while giving me verbal instructions too. I stood there with the deer in the headlight look until he finished talking and moved out of my way. It was the longest walk ever to walk the three feet over to the table, unfasten and pull down my pants (again), bend over, and position my elbows, waist, and feet as instructed. I never felt more vulnerable than at that moment.

My prostate exam started at 45 at my urologists. I have my annual prostate check in less than 2 weeks 😊😊

I was about halfway between my 40th and 41st birthdays when I got my first one. I've had one annually pretty much ever since then for the last 12 years.

My first one was at age 40. Then, Annually until 44. Since then (last 8 years), it's just PSA tests.

I got my 1st one around 18. Then pretty much once a year since.

It is difficult to say whether 40 is the right age for a prostate examination. I had my prostate examined for the first time at the age of 18, during a military medical examination. Then there was a long break in research. I've only had my prostate examined by urologists. I have never been so examined during periodic examinations.

I had my prostate examined by a urologist for the first time before the age of 40. I went to the urologist about phimosis. Although my problem concerned a different part of the body, the urologist also examined my prostate. I used to think that a prostate military commission examination was overkill. At this age, men rarely have a problem with it. Now I think it should be done. Young men have to get used to such medical examinations. I also believe that it should be an element of periodic examinations, not only urological ones.

It seems to vary according to the doc. My first was at 18 as I got my going off to college complete physical. I didn't have another until graduate school so by then 22 and thereafter while using the college health clinic. I didn't have a PCP until much later deferring to use the Doc in the Box centers for sick visits. Then 8 years ago, I went to a PCP and have had a rectal done ever since along with colonoscopies. Not so bad; the hype is much worse that what took place. Good luck; get one!

My prostate exams started when I was 37 or 38 years old. Since then, I get them annually at my physicals.

18. Any young man who joins the military will definitely receive a prostate exam. Also, many post-high school higher education institutions require a full physical. I speak from personal experience, on both counts.

I was 44 when I started seeing the urologist and began to get an annual prostate exam.

It all depends. In most cases it happens after age 40 unless you are at a higher risk for prostate cancer or are having symptoms in that part of your body.

I got my first one at 24.

I got my first one at 33.

Since the advent of the new health care system they don't. They get all the information they want from the blood work.

I’ve heard different answers. 40 for some. 50 for others. Not necessary is another answer. Personally started for me at 40.

I’ve said this before. It is wise to get a baseline PSA level in your early 40’s. PSA tests are valuable for determining not only your risk for prostate cancer but also the likelihood that you might have a prostate infection. Many doctors do not seem to be aware of this fact.

A DRE is an incomplete examination of the prostate gland. No doctor can palpate all three lobes of the prostate gland simply due to where it is located. However, if a doctor feels a lump or other indication it is most likely cancer. By the time a doctor can feel a problem it is probably too late to ensure a cure.

So getting the baseline PSA score while you are symptom free and healthy makes sense. If getting a DRE makes you feel better then request one.

What I will tell you is that my father died from prostate cancer yet he got ‘the finger’ annually. His doctors could not feel the cancer until it was too late. His cancer invaded his bones, bladder and kidneys. His death was horrible. I watched him die. I think I have PTSD from experiencing it.

I am not a medical doctor. I go by what I have gleaned from sources like the NIH, Medscape, and what my doctors have told me. (Just remember, doctors are just human beings.) Whatever you decide to do and when should be based on a discussion with your doctors, what you can learn from legitimate online sources, and you own personal health. Please avoid using Facebook, Reddit or sources like that. The more you know about your own body, the easier it is to make a good informed decision. Even with inflation a PSA test is under $70 if you have to get one out of pocket. In my state a doctor does not have to authorize it either.

I had my first prostate exam at age 28 as part of an employment physical. I wrote an account of that detailed exam in a Zity blog, which you can read if interested at this link.

https://en.zity.biz/index.php?mx=blog;ox=showpage;pg=6668

Of course, a prostate exam for a 28 year old would be pretty unusual these days, as would that kind of detailed physical exam. These days, employers probably mostly care about the drug test and perhaps certifying lack of pre-existing conditions.

The first rectal exam I had was at age 15, but this did not involve a DRE, only dropping my underpants and bending over so that the doc could have a look. All that was common back in those years.

The official age in UK for screening is 50.

Like some members say here from other countries, if you have family history, your doctor may suggest earlier to you.

There's no UK national screening programme for prostate cancer. The government says this is because the PSA blood test is not reliable. A lot of us in UK think it's also because of the cost. (The government pays for healthcare in the UK and the health service costs billions and billions.) Prostate cancer charities campaign for a national screening programme. Also a significant number of British people are of Afro-Caribbean ancestry where prostate cancer is marginally more common. That's important!

There is a national screening programme for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer.

If you get called in by your doctor, or if you go and ask for screening, they counsel you quite well about false positives etc with the PSA blood test. A lot of UK doctors also offer a DRE if you go to see them or you get called in.

I had a prostate scare about 20 years ago when I was in my 40s. All clear fortunately. But I've had an annual PSA test and DRE since then.

@Ccc Do you know the motivation for those at age 28 and 40?

I had my first one at age 17 because of concerns about testicular examination findings, discomfort and very difficult to ejaculate by masturbation and advised to have them twice annually which have not done for awhile

I haven’t had a prostate exam in over 20 years! They have blood tests for that today.

I have no quarrel with what you say JJM and it makes complete sense. However I can't escape the ironic contrast with what Zity members so often complain about. Specifically, doctors no longer do physical exams, such as a rectal/prostate exams; rather they just do a lab test! The truth is, a combination of the two is the best approach. All lab tests are open to false negatives. As an example (different organ system to be sure) I once had a woman present with a golf ball-sized rock hard breast lump. No way that wasn't cancer! I sent her for a mammogram, knowing the surgeon would want to see it. The mammogram was NORMAL!!! I was astounded. The radiologist saw nothing. He recommended an MRI, which we got. It showed the cancerous lesion. So beware relying too much on single tests, especially when there's no physical findings to support it

Got my first at 17.

The Doctor was looking for anything, my next was 4 months later still 17 as part of US Army draft physical.

1968 some wild times for young guys.

UJ

Physical prostate exams are not a thing anymore. At least not where I live. I have never had one done.

But after you reach a certain and blood-tests are required for a wide range of indications, doctors will usually include a test for prostate indicators. If they come back indicating inflammation or cancer or whatever, then a physical exam or whatever modern type of sounding is now available will probably be carried out.

No idea though what the protocol is if you yourself come in with complaints about prostate trouble.

Whenever i have blood tests done for example my thyroid levels, apparently a prostate blood test is also ticked off and I've been informed of the results.

Here in Germany it is recommended from 45 on. If you have a family history it might be done earlier, from around 40.

Had my first about a year ago due to some urinary issues. The urologist was on the fence about it because labs and imaging are preferred but I made pretty clear I had no qualms about the exam. I'm not bothered by things like that so I'll happily do them as a first round before going more expensive.

I'm hoping to get my PCP to do one at my physical next month but I doubt it will happen. It's a quick and easy way to check if anything's changed or worsened before we wait on the lab results so I'm all for it. Even if it gives no useful information the psychological aspect of "at least we're checking/trying something" is a big comfort as a patient.