Many men will state that a prostate checkup is not a well-liked examination. However, the importance of a prostate checkup cannot be ignored, especially when it comes to the health and wellness of men. Also known as a digital rectal exam, a doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum of the man and feels for any abnormalities located on the prostate, including bumps, lumps and spots. While a prostate checkup cannot determine what is wrong, if there is an abnormality, doctors can feel it and proscribe further testing.

The National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions recommends that men over the age of 40 have an annual prostate checkup. As men begin to age, their body becomes far more likely to develop certain medical conditions. With a checkup, there are two primary things to be looking for. The first is to examine the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. An enlarged prostate is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia and it compresses the urethra, which causes bladder retention.

The second thing doctors look for in a prostate checkup is prostate cancer. This checkup is the best early detection examination for this form of cancer. One out of six men is diagnosed with this form of cancer. Because the early stages of this form of cancer tend to be without any symptoms, a prostate checkup is the only viable way to examine for cancer. Unfortunately, many men live for numerous years without being privy to the fact they have prostate cancer until it becomes too late. When detected early, survival rates for prostate cancer near 100 percent.

Some factors make men more prone to this form of cancer than other factors. These can include race, family history, age, lifestyle choices and hereditary. If any man has a family history of cancer, then it is extremely important that they receive regular examinations. While there are some factors that cannot be controlled which can cause cancer, such as age, race and heredity, lifestyle can be controlled. In a number of studies, obesity has been linked with the development of prostate cancer. Aside from other medical conditions a healthy diet and active lifestyle can fend off.

Other health concerns can be checked on during an examination. Doctors can inspect and evaluate any hemorrhoids and also look for tumors. Those suffering from fecal incontinence or a neurological disease are also checked for tonicity of their anal sphincter during a prostate exam.

It can never be fully stressed the importance of having an annual prostate examination. With many men dying as the result of cancer, having a quick checkup with the doctor can save lives.