I can't really afford doctors generally, but I was in another country soon after turning 40 and I decided to get a full checkup on the cheap. I was steeling myself for the prostate exam. Imagine my surprise and relief when they gave me a goddam ultrasound instead! Like they would for a pregnant lady! Cold gel on the belly and all. They gave me the exact volume of my prostate in decilitres. So yeah, that is apparently an option.
That's ok. Blood test first (least invasive) then move on to ultrasound. The point is there's no good reason to have someone digitally probe your anus anymore.
In the whole of 2022 I was sick and couldnt get anyone to see me. Managed to get 2 blood tests which gave me nothing. Finally got an appointment last May. Pretty much every GPs is like that now sadly.