A prostate exam is a common examination that is used to check on the current condition of the prostate. As men age, the need to monitor prostate health becomes more of a necessity. Unfortunately, many men neglect the task of having periodic prostate examinations. Often, this is due to a misunderstanding about the mechanics of the exam, as well as a lack of information about prostate cancer and what the disease can do if left unchecked.

Prostate exams do not require much, other than a visit to the family physician or urologist. The exam takes place in the doctor’s office, and involves nothing more than a lubricant and a rubber glove. The physician dons the glove, lubricates the index finger, and inserts the finger into the anus. The prostate can be easily examined through the thin walls of the rectum, allowing the physician to check for growths, texture, and any other abnormalities. Generally, the prostate examination takes only a moment or two and is relatively painless.

While the risk of prostate cancer is relatively low prior to age forty, many physicians recommend a prostate exam every few years for men in their twenties and thirties. The frequency may increase to annual or biannual examinations if there is a history of prostate cancer or related issues in the immediate family, such as a brother, father, or grandfather. In addition, African-American men are thought to have a higher risk of developing prostate problems. The presence of risk factors such as heredity or race often prompts physicians to recommend more frequent testing for individual patients.

After age forty, many physicians recommend an annual prostate exam as part of the yearly checkup. Some medical associations will recommend an annual exam after age 45, assuming there are no extenuating circumstances. However, just about every reliable medical source agrees that after the age of 45, all men should have an annual prostate exam.

Failure to have a prostate exam on a regular basis can lead to major health issues. In the event that prostate cancer is developed and not caught in the early stages, it is possible to experience decreased urinary functions, including a negative impact on sexual desire and performance. At worst, prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body and lead to death. Taking a few moments each year to submit to a prostate exam can do a great deal to maintain a comfortable level of health and living, and also allow for any problems to be corrected before there is the chance for permanent damage.