Question About Seeing an Adult Doctor
 

Hi Everyone,

I hope you're all well, and I hope this is the right place for this.

I'm planning on (probably) transitioning from a pediatrician to an "adult" doctor this summer, and I had a question about typical physical exam procedures.

Is it common for doctors to give male patients a rectal exam at an annual physical? I know that prostate cancer isn't very common until age 40+, but I just wondered if some doctors do this anyhow? I just want to have an idea of what I should be prepared for.

Thanks.

Re: Question About Seeing an Adult Doctor
 

Re: Question About Seeing an Adult Doctor
 

I'm well under the age for needing one, but I talked to my dad a while ago about it cause he had them done. Said its no big deal, the doctor just had him lay on his side looking away, pulled down his underwear and he stuck his hpfinger in his bum to feel his prostate. I don't think it's very far in so wasn't like painful or anything, is what he said anyways. More a little embarassing I think than anything else

Re: Question About Seeing an Adult Doctor
 

Probably not, but I have heard of doctors asking men that young to do that. You can always just refuse. Prostate cancer is really rare at your age, and has a 99% survival rate. It is one of the least deadly cancers and almost nobody dies from it.

I imagine that the doctor will just get your history,feel your abdomen and neck, take your blood pressure/pulse, look into your eyes, and draw blood.

Re: Question About Seeing an Adult Doctor
 

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies.

If the doctor wants to do one, I'll let him. I figure it doesn't hurt to make sure stuff's okay back there.

The blood draw would be the part I might have to refuse, as I'm a needle phobic and have certain coping techniques that I need to use to avoid freaking out (being alone with a doctor I'm unfamiliar with isn't one of them). Hopefully it's unnecessary, but if they really want labs, I can have a friend go with me to a lab at some point.

Re: Question About Seeing an Adult Doctor
 

If they want to draw blood they'll have you go to a lab after your doctor visit, and you most likely wouldn't have to go the same day so going with a friend and preparing yourself shouldn't be a problem

Re: Question About Seeing an Adult Doctor
 

Re: Question About Seeing an Adult Doctor
 

Hey Dez,

Yeah, I had to have vitamin D checked a couple times last year, because there was concern it wasn't actually the vitamin D level, but parathyroid, that might have been off.

Luckily, it was just vitamin D.

Re: Question About Seeing an Adult Doctor
 

Highly unlikely they will do a rectal or prostate exam without thinking something is wrong.


Even unlikely you would get a blood test without something specific going on. Maybe they may want to check for diabetes or cholesterol but not a guarantee.