When caring for your personal health, preventive care is critical. This usually means a nutritious diet and routine exercise, but it also includes preventive screenings, such as prostate exams. Also known as a digital rectal exam, this test is used to screen for prostate cancer. It's commonly done by a primary care physician or a urologist. To understand why it's an essential aspect of preventive care, here's what you need to know. 

Why Is a Prostate Exam Important?

Primary care physicians use this test to check for prostate cancer. This is a major concern among men, especially in America where one in eight men will be diagnosed. This makes it the second-leading cause of death for American men, although it's more prevalent among seniors and non-Hispanic Black men.

Because of these statistics, men aged 50 and older should have annual exams. However, those as young as 40 can also speak to their primary care physician about the screening. 

What Can You Expect During the Test?

The entire process is very short and usually completed in less than a minute. Your primary care physician or urologist will have you bend over with your elbows on a table and then insert a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum to reach the prostate. They will then lightly feel around the prostate from side to side, looking for any lumps, bumps, nodules, or hard spots. During this, they will also determine an estimated size of the prostate. Although it can be awkward and a bit uncomfortable, it is never painful. These few seconds of discomfort can potentially be life-saving. 

If you're overdue for a prostate screening, contact HDR Healthcare Network. Based in the Bronx, NY, they have numerous facilities throughout the area. They can help you find a primary care physician for you. Aside from adult medicine, they also specialize in pediatrics, family medicine, and urgent care. For more information and a list of their facilities, visit their website or call (929) 256-5005.