Rectal examination

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Digital rectal exam
)
Rectal examination
Side view of male reproductive and urinary anatomy, including the prostate, rectum and bladder, with an index finger probing the anus
ICD-9-CM89.34
MeSHD051517
MedlinePlus007069

Digital rectal examination (DRE), also known as a prostate exam (

healthcare provider
.

Prior to a 2018 report from the

screening test for prostate cancer.[1][2]

Usage

This examination may be used:

Usage as a screening tool

In
colorectal cancer screening
of asymptomatic adults aged 50 to 75

In prostate cancer screening of asymptomatic men aged 55 to 69

  • In men aged 55–69 who have been counseled on the known harms and potential benefits of prostate cancer screening, the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force May 2018 statement states, "The use of digital rectal examination as a screening modality is not recommended because there is a lack of evidence on the benefits."[25] The American Academy of Family Physicians states, "Digital Rectal Exam does not improve detection of prostate cancer and should not be performed as a part of screening."[26] The American Urological Association 2013 (reviewed and validity confirmed 2018) guideline panel states, "The literature supporting the efficacy of digital rectal exam (DRE) for screening with the goal of reducing prostate cancer mortality provide limited evidence to draw conclusions."[27] "The guideline panel could find no evidence to support the continued use of DRE as a first-line method of screening."[28] Although DRE has long been used to diagnose prostate cancer, no controlled studies have shown a reduction in the morbidity or mortality of prostate cancer when detected by DRE at any age.[28][29]
  • A meta-analysis published in the Annals of Family Medicine concluded: "Given the considerable lack of evidence supporting its efficacy, we recommend against routine performance of DRE to screen for prostate cancer in the primary care setting."[4]

Procedure

The digital rectal examination is a relatively simple medical procedure. The patient undresses and is then placed in a position where the

hemorrhoids, lumps, or rashes. Then, as the patient relaxes and bears down (as if having a bowel movement), the physician slips a lubricated finger into the rectum through the anus and palpates the insides for a short time.[medical citation needed
]

Society and culture

Due to the taboos surrounding the anus and the potential for discomfort and embarrassment, the rectal exam is a common

Destroy All Humans!.[31] The practice of rectal exams without prior consent by medical students has been an area of concern.[32]

Veterinary medicine

In

rectal tear occurring, which can be a life-threatening event, rapidly leading to peritonitis and septic shock. It is also a common procedure in cattle, and is one method of diagnosing pregnancy in both the horse and the cow.[citation needed
]

The procedure in dogs and cats is similar to humans. For the horse, the patient stands in a

long glove that extends to the shoulder. The examiner inserts the hand and arm into the rectum as far as necessary.[citation needed
]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Recommendation: Prostate Cancer: Screening | United States Preventive Services Taskforce". www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  2. ^ "It may be time to abandon dreaded digital rectal exam, research shows". ScienceDaily. Retrieved 2022-11-19. The dreaded finger exam to check for prostate cancer used to be a mainstay of check-ups for older men.
  3. .
  4. ^ .
  5. ^ "Pri-Med | Put That Finger Down! The End of the..." Pri-Med.
  6. ^ a b c "FOBT and DRE's in the ED (June 2018) » Emergency Medicine | Blog Archive | Boston University". www.bumc.bu.edu. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  7. ^
    S2CID 5046971
    .
  8. ^ .
  9. ^ .
  10. ^ "UpToDate". www.uptodate.com. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
  11. PMID 3263294
    .
  12. .
  13. ^ "UpToDate". www.uptodate.com. Retrieved 2019-10-22.
  14. PMID 17391807
    .
  15. ^ "Hemorrhoids - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic". Mayo Clinic.
  16. S2CID 639158
    .
  17. ^ "UpToDate". www.uptodate.com. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
  18. ^ "Final Recommendation Statement: Colorectal Cancer: Screening - US Preventive Services Task Force". www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org. Retrieved 2019-02-07.
  19. PMID 16734049
    .
  20. .
  21. .
  22. S2CID 29833684.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link
    )
  23. ^ "Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests". www.cancer.org. Retrieved 2019-10-12.
  24. PMID 20383599
    .
  25. .
  26. ^ "Prostate Cancer - Clinical Preventive Service Recommendation". www.aafp.org. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
  27. ^ "American Urological Association -". www.auanet.org. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  28. ^ a b Hoffman, Richard M (Jun 25, 2018). "Screening for prostate cancer". UpToDate.
  29. ^ Epstein JI (2002). "Pathology of prostatic neoplasia". In Walsh PC (ed.). Campbell's Urology (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders.
  30. ^ New York Magazine - Vol. 28, No. 11. "Saturday Night Live at twenty"
  31. ^ "Alien anal probe saw Saints Row IV refused classification in Australia". IGN Entertainment Inc. June 25, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  32. S2CID 3372919
    .

External links