 [ Symptoms ] i have seen various doctors since november 2016 in regard to a ‘severe ear infection [ Disease ] the reason we do a prostate exam is obviously to feel for any irregularities any nodules any areas of firmness anything that does not make sense at the same time we are doing that we are also looking for any rectal wall abnormalities because that can be an early warning sign for cancer and we are also for blood because that can be an early warning sign for a colon cancer higher up so what the doctor does is they take a gloved finger puts on some lubricating jelly and just gently slip the finger in just past the anus they feel the prostate they feel the top side the middle it takes just a second or two to feel around make sure there are no irregularities and remove it is definitely not fun for the doctor but it is an essential part of the exam on the receiving end it is not fun either it is uncomfortable it lasts a few seconds but it is a life saver it is unfortunate when we see men who have not had exams and are diagnosed with advanced prostate or rectal cancers that would have been picked up they could have lived a normal life so yes it is momentarily uncomfortable for many men it is embarrassing but it is a life or death issue