Posted by: Ron @ Wednesday, June 18th 2008 @ 08:16:28 AM EST
Dear Ron, At 63 I just had an operation to remove my prostate on June 2 and recovering nicely. My urologist did a digital exam before I left his office last January for a follow up of something else (Kidney stone in 2006). He probed longer than I remember any doctor doing before and then announced he found something suspicious and I ought to have a biopsy. My PSA number was 2.3 which is low and considered within normal range. It is VERY important NOT to simply trust the PSA blood test. Everyone over 50 (or earlier if a family history) should be having a DIGITAL exam every year.
From Ron:
That's what my urologist tells me. Here is information about the prostate gland from a medical website:"Only found in males, the prostate is a chestnut shaped gland that surrounds the beginning of the urethra in the urogenital system. Its main functions are to produce a component of semen, to help eject semen during ejaculation, and to help prevent the backflow of urine from the urethra. The prostate can only be felt by rectal examination; also known as a digital rectal examination, or DRE."
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