International Anal Neoplasia Society Guidelines for the Practice of Digital Anal Rectal Examination.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to develop recommended techniques and quality assurance metrics for the practice of Digital Anal Rectal Examination (DARE).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The International Anal Neoplasia Society undertook a literature review and, using the AGREE II technique, developed guidelines for performing DARE.

RESULTS

A consensus was formed regarding the optimum conditions and characteristics of DARE. Several Quality Assurance metrics were developed.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital Anal Rectal Examination is a cheap and potentially universally available technique, which has the potential to facilitate the early diagnosis of anal cancers, when they are most amenable to treatment. These guidelines provide a basis for teaching the technique and may be used as for evaluation research.