Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)What To Think About- If a digital rectal exam (DRE) is being done to
screen for prostate cancer, the examination may be combined with a blood test
for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The two tests are often done together to
check for prostate cancer. For more information, see the topic
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA).
- Other
tests may need to be done after a DRE if problems are felt. You may need a test
for blood in the stool or a visual examination of the anus and rectum
(anoscopy or sigmoidoscopy). For more information, see the topics
Sigmoidoscopy and
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT).
- A
transrectal ultrasound and a prostate
biopsy may be done if the DRE or PSA test shows that
prostate cancer may be present. For more information, see the topics
Pelvic Ultrasound and
Prostate Biopsy.
- DRE alone is not used to
check for colorectal cancer. If problems are found during a DRE, more tests may
be needed, such as a
sigmoidoscopy,
colonoscopy, or stool test. For more information, see
the topics
Sigmoidoscopy,
Colonoscopy, or
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT).
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology Last Updated: September 26, 2012 |
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