A prostate exam is a medical procedure used to check the health of the prostate gland, which is located below the bladder in men. This exam can help detect issues such as enlargement, inflammation, or cancer. The most common method is a digital rectal exam (DRE), where a doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate. In addition to the DRE, doctors may also recommend a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. This test measures the level of PSA, a substance produced by the prostate, in the blood. Elevated levels can indicate potential problems, prompting further investigation.