A prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland that is located near the bladder and helps in the production of seminal fluid. Its cancer is the second most common form of cancer among men in the US.
This is why the American Cancer Society recommends that men have their first prostate exam by age 50 and earlier if they have certain risk factors, such as African-American ethnicity and a family history of prostate cancer. A prostate exam is a screening test for the early signs of prostate cancer.
If you have scheduled a visit to your primary care nurse practitioner for a prostate exam, feeling nervous or even embarrassed about the exam is normal. However, knowing what will happen during the test can help. Here’s what you can expect during a prostate exam.
Prostate Exam Procedure
During a prostate exam, your healthcare provider may use two types of screening tests: a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal examination (DRE). Digital rectal examination is usually recommended in people with normal PSA levels.
For a PSA blood test, your primary care doctor will simply draw a sample of your blood and send it to the lab to measure the amount of prostate-specific antigen in your blood.
On the other hand, a digital rectal examination can be done while you are lying down or standing. During the test, in a standing position, you will be asked to face the examination table with your feet apart, your body bent forward, and your arms on the examination table.
Next, primary care providers glove their fingers, lubricate them with a lubricant, and put them into your rectum at a downward angle. You may expect to feel slight discomfort or a little pressure, but this should not hurt.
However, if you feel any pain, inform your provider right away. The healthcare will move their fingers in a circular motion to feel the lobes of their prostate gland. This will also allow them to check for swelling, tenderness, hard spots or bumps, abnormalities in the prostate, and lumps on or around the prostate gland.
When a prostate exam is done, your primary care provider will take their fingers out of your rectum and might offer you some wipes to clean off the lubricant. The entire prostate examination process takes only a few minutes.
After the exam, your primary care provider will discuss their findings with you. If they detect any abnormalities in your test, they may order additional tests, such as imaging studies or a biopsy, to look for the signs of prostate cancer. However, if your prostate exam results are normal, your primary care provider will consider the results of your prostate-specific antigen blood test and tell you when you should have your next prostate examination.
Prostate exam in DeSoto, Texas
If you are due for a prostate examination and are looking for a reputable primary care nurse practitioner who regularly performs prostate exams, look no further than our Nurse Practitioner, Crystal Capler, at Pivot Healthcare Office in DeSoto, Texas. Our highly trained and skilled nurse practitioner treats a comprehensive range of men’s health conditions, including sexually transmitted infections, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and others.
If you would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation with our nurse practitioner, contact us today at (214) 242-9316 or fill out our online appointment request form.
