What exactly is a prostate exam?

The latter. The first is a Urethral Catheterization, not a prostate exam.

http://menshealth.about.com/od/prostatehealth/a/prostate_poll.htm

I've had plenty of them.

They don't half make your eyes water.

From what I have been told, the exam is a trifle uncomfortable, but not painful. The thing is, that it important for every man, as he reaches middle age, to not only have a prostate exam, but have his p.s.a. tested. (It is a blood test).

Many middle aged men have benign prostatic hyperplasia. (bph) It is not cancer, but is caused by the growth of the prostate gland squeezing on the urethera. What happens is that men with bph have to go to the bathroom more often than usual, and often feel that they have not completely voided after they urinate. The treatment (which I refer to as a "Roto-Rooting") is not serious, and gives the man many trouble free years.

Every man at middle age and beyond should have a prostate specific antigen test (p.s.a.). An elevated level can indicate either bph or prostate cancer. The thing is, if caught early, the treatment for prostate cancer is much simpler and less troublesome, than if a man waits until the disease has become more serious.

I know it is a pain in the butt, and many men are queasy about prostate exams. Please don't be. Your life may depend on it!

Imagine having your tonsils examined via the rectum. That pretty much sums up a prostate exam.

There are at least two parts of the average prostate exam. Part one consists of the MD inserting a gloved finger into and up the rectum. At this time the MD evaluates the physicality of the gland and searches for any evidence of an anatomical abnomality.

In phase 2 of the exam, chemical/biochemical analysis of various blood constituents such as PSA is carried out.

If disease is suspected, further tests may be carried out.

If you're a guy, you'll find out when you are old enough. If you're a gal, it won't matter.

The next step after the digital exam and PSA is to see the urologist to take a biopsy to see if there is any cancer and how far progressed it is. If the biopsy is positive, they give you what is called a "Gleason" score that tells the doc how far progressed the cancer is.

In my case, it was "intermediate," and the urologist gave me two options of treatment; surgery and radiation. He recommended radiation treatment, because it is "non-invasive" to the degree that they don't cut into the patient for treatment. It also matters what age the patient is. Recent medical research have shown that even with some progress in the cancer, it might be a good idea to not treat it. If you're 75 or older, I would opt not to treat it.

I had gold seeds implated on my prostate that sets up a target for the radiation. I went for eight weeks of radiation treatment, 5/7.

After about six months, I started bleeding from my radiation treatment, so I had a colonoscopy done last month. The doc who performed the colonoscopy also cauterized the bleeding vessels, but I'm now suffering from a great urge to go to the toilet and am still bleeding. This has greatly reduced my quality of life, and if I had known these side effects would happen, would never have gone through the treatment.

My oncologist recommended Proctofoam (very expensive med) to treat the bleeding, but I still bleed with my bowel movement.

I started taking Ibuprofen for the pain, and it has also reduced my urge to go to toilet in addition to reducing the pain.

Feel free to ask any question, although I can only respond from a personal level. Only your doctor can answer your medical questions.

My doctor thinks he is a comedian. When he is checking my prostate, he likes to yell out: "Who's Your Daddy?"

Just remember that if you feel two hands on your shoulders while the exam is going on.... get the hell up.

I disagree. No matter what the age, IMO it is the PATIENT who should make the decision as to whether he wants treatment or not, after being told options, prognosis, doctor's opinion, etc. Each person is different. The problem is that many doctors have their own biases; I would also suspect that many of them don't want to take the time to discuss all that needs to be discussed with the patient.

The doctor will generally do routine exams in two steps--feel the prostate to determine that it is of normal size and not enlarged--and do a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test in your routine blood tests. PSA is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland and an unhealthy prostate produces more of it. If the PSA is elevated or is increasing from one test to the next, then the doctor will generally refer you to a specialist for a biopsy which is mildly uncomfortable but not excruciating. (A needle is inserted into the prostate gland to extract some cells.) If the biopsy is positive for cancer--the most common male cancer--and it is caught early enough, the prognosis is excellent for treatment producing a full recovery. This is why regular check ups are so important.

Many enlarged prostates are not cancerous too, and are treated with simple drugs like Flowmax if the enlargement is enough to restrict urine flow.

Even many advanced cancers can be brought under control or put into remission so that you die of old age long before the cancer gets you.

It is believed (in the homeopathic world) that broccoli, brussel sprouts, tomatos, watermelon, pink grapefruit and green tea contribute to prostate health. Since my husband's cancer--three years ago--, I make sure that these are a part of our diet to discourage any recurrance. (Even if they don't help, at least they can't hurt.) Also selenium and zinc are critical to prostate health and those not getting enough in their diet should be sure they are part of any vitamin supplements.

The most imporant thing is to get the periodic exams and deal with any problems early.

I said "I" would opt not to treat it. Also, I've also said that the doctor should be consulted on what to do.

Did you have to put it exactly like that?

It may not be pleasant, but it is brief. I recall an army induction physical in which groups of twenty guys, buck nekked all, bent over and spread their cheeks. Ten minutes later, the army had determined our backs were fine, hamstring flexibility was good, and so were our prostates. I believe this is what the military does to doctors who have offended a senior officer.

Sorry to hear about your health problems, CI. I hope you may continue your world travels in good health for many years to come.

Thank you, neo, appreciate the thought.

Is it normal for one's dentist to administer a Urethral Catheterization?

Just curious.

Well, not really normal....

But, in your case.................................