27th March 2020
A digital rectal examination (DRE) is a useful screening tool, which can be used in conjunction with a PSA test, to help determine if a patient should be referred on a prostate cancer pathway. Prostate cancers may not necessarily secrete PSA; and so a PSA alone may be falsely reassuring. Thus, a DRE can form an important part of the prostate cancer investigation process.
The examination:
All practitioners should be able to perform a DRE, as the prostate is positioned close to the anal vert, therefore the length of fingers do not restrict the examination. During a DRE, practitioners should assess the prostate to see if it is significantly:
| • | Jagged |
| • | Hard |
| • | Irregular, as opposed to smooth. |
Find out more:
Access GatewayC’s ‘Prostate Cancer – Responding to a PSA Screening Request’ course here
Access this BMJ learning module here
