What is a Digital Rectal Exam?
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"
What is a Digital Rectal Exam?
Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN, OncoLink's Clinical Trials Coordinator, responds:
Digital rectal exam is a technique used by physicians to assess rectal function, feel for rectal tumors or hemorrhoids, and check for blood in the stool. The physician inserts a finger into the patients' rectum and is able to feel the first few inches of the rectal tissue. By obtaining a small amount of stool, the fecal occult blood test can then be used to check for blood in the stool. In men, this test can also evaluate the prostate gland.
About OncoLink Contact OncoLink Privacy statement Disclaimer Link to OncoLink Home