Rectal and anal examination

This examination involves your doctor feeling inside the anus and rectum (back passage) using their finger. This is also called a digital rectal exam or DRE.

You might have a DRE if you have symptoms that could be due to bowel or anal cancer. 

Your doctor or nurse can do a DRE to examine your prostate. The rectum is close to the prostate so they check for any problems with the prostate.

Why you might have an examination of the anus and rectum

You might have this to help work out the cause of your symptoms.

Preparing for the examination

Your nurse or doctor will explain what to expect before the examination. It’s normal to feel anxious about this test but it usually only takes a few minutes. It might be uncomfortable, but you shouldn’t feel any pain. Let the person doing the examination know if you have pain during your test.

You can ask for a man or woman doctor if you’d prefer. You can also ask to have a chaperone in the room while you have the test. A chaperone is another staff member from the clinic. It’s up to you whether you decide to have one or not. It’s normal practice to offer this for intimate examinations or tests.

You might also be able to have someone else in the room, such as a family member.

What happens?

The doctor or nurse will ask you to take off your clothes on your lower half, including underwear.

You lie on your left hand side, with your knees brought up towards your chest.

The doctor or nurse will put on gloves and then put lubricating gel on their finger. They will then put their finger inside your anus and rectum and feel for anything unusual, such as lumps.

After your examination

Once it’s done, your nurse or doctor wipes the gel off the anal area. 

You can then get up from the couch and get dressed. You’ll be able to leave as soon as you’re ready.

If your doctor or nurse finds anything unusual, they will discuss this with you and they will refer you for more tests.