A prostate exam is a procedure to check the health of the prostate. The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder in men. It is responsible for producing some of the fluid that makes up semen. A prostate exam can help to detect prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer among men.
There are two types of prostate exams: a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). A DRE is performed by a doctor or other healthcare provider who inserts a finger into the rectum to feel the prostate. A TRUS is performed using a small ultrasound probe that is inserted into the rectum to create images of the prostate.