Is this appropriate?

[Lolly55]

I had an appointment yesterday with a Gastroenterologist that I met for the first time. My primary doctor referred me to him for a colonoscopy.  I understood that the appointment was for the purpose of meeting the doctor, giving him my health history, then setting up a date/time for the actual procedure.  I met the doctor and we discussed my health history, then I was told I would be examined.  I was taken to an examining room and told to completely undress.  During the exam, the doctor pressed on my stomach, performed a digital rectal exam and listened to my heart. All of this seemed very appropriate for a Gastroenterologist to do.  However, he then proceeded to perform a breast exam.  This I was not prepared for.  Is it a routine practice for a Gastroenterologist to do a breast exam?   There was a nurse in the room, but the angle at which they were both standing, I don't believe she would have been able to see what he was doing.  I made an appointment for the colonoscopy, but I am now feeling very uncomfortable about being alone with this doctor under anesthesia.  I need to know if a breast exam is routine in this circumstance.  I would ask my physician, but I know she and this doctor are friends.  Help!

[dmbfan07cb]

Sounds weird and not needed.  But I do not really know about such matters.  You could call his office and ask his nurse why he gave you a breast examination, may give you some answers.

[CalGal]

This is not appropriate. Report it and find another doc.

[boron]

In practice, it is very unusual that a gastro specialist would do a breast exam before colonoscopy, especially if there was no apparent reason.

In theory, when you're accepted in the hospital (for treating), a specialist has to do a complete body examination.

It is not a practice that full exam is done before a diagnostic procedure, despite the fact that doctor wants to know your general state of health. If he wanted to make a quick body exam, he should also listen to your lungs, perform a short neurologic test, check your neck and armpits for enlarged nodes and other to exclude eventual contraindications for colonoscopy. Breast exam is really not a part of this.