I think some urologists do them routinely after surgery and some don't.
  If there were a local recurrence of cancer, it might be detectable on
DRE, but normally one would expect to see a significant rise in PSA
before that would happen.  Also, a DRE can sometimes find other
conditions, either on the rectal wall, or in the prostate bed.  Since
the procedure is so easy to do and entails few if any risks for the
patient, it would seem to be prudent to do it from time to time.

My urologist does do a DRE every time I see him.  On occasion he has
medical students there and he asks me if they can do it also.   I am
happy to comply.  I long ago decided it is all just so much plumbing and
since I'm relaxed and used to it, it is not specially uncomfortable.  It
does bother my hemorrhoids a bit on occasion, but I feel I should do my
part in furthering medical education.

My primary care physician is happy to skip that part of the exam and
leave it to my urologist.

If you are in the right position, the muscles will be relaxed and it
shouldn't hurt.  Of course there are psychological considerations, but
after going through various diagnostic procedures and having had a RP,
I'm so used to being poked and prodded that my old hangups on the
subject are gone.

They continue to feel for anomolies.  Recently, by uro switched to 8-month
DREs.  I was a happy camper.

You're right---they're still unpleasant.  "Jackie" did my most recent.
Since she was of opposite gender, there had to be an observer.  So not only
was the experience just as unpleasant as with my male uro, but now I had one
of the other women also there watching it all.

My urologist explained that he is looking for any changes at the base of the
bladder and where the knob of scar tissue is. He makes it a point to check
it  once a year.

On March 3, dave481 wrote, in pertinent part:

(snip)

(snip)

I tried to find volatrex on rxlist.com. No joy, they have no listing.

Please recheck the spelling and advise.

Thanks.

Regards,

Steve J