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A member asked:
How effective is a digital rectal exam for cancer screening?
8 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Do the Math: The length of the colon and rectum is about 5 feet, so a digital exam, although important, will only find tumors within a few inches of the anus. Colonoscopy remains the "gold standard" for colorectal ca screening.
Answered 12/9/2013
5.7k views
Minimally: Your colon and rectum are several feet in length, and your doctor's finger is a few inches. A digital rectal exam is useful for evaluating the prostate (within reach) but cannot evaluate the colin or much of the rectum. This is why colonoscopy is recommended as the entire colon and rectum can be evaluated.
Answered 9/10/2019
5.6k views
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