I Have Blood in the Stool – Do I have Colon Cancer?
A common question we hear from patients (and actually anyone who knows we do GI) is that of symptoms – and if their symptoms mean they have colon cancer. Patients want to know about blood in the stool and the severity of that symptom.
Seeing blood in the stool? See a gastroenterologist to identify the cause.
What is “Blood in the Stool?”
Blood in the stool, or rectal bleeding, refers to any blood you may see after a bowel movement. Blood can be spotted on the stool, in the toilet bowl, on the toilet paper or a combination of the above. Sometimes blood will be coming from the urinary tract, but that needs attention from a urologist rather than a gastroenterologist. We mainly deal with concerns involving blood anytime there is stool. It’s often mixed with a mucus-like substance.
What Causes Blood in the Stool?
It’s a natural reaction to be immediately alarmed upon seeing any blood in your stool. This generally indicates that something isn’t quite right with your bowels and needs your attention. It’s important to not jump to conclusions when you spot the blood through. Blood in the stool can indicate several issues. One of them does include colon cancer, however there are many other lesser conditions that can result in rectal bleeding. Some of the common issues we see causing blood in the stool are:
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- IBD disorders
- Colon polyps
- Ulcers
- Diverticulitis
- Stomach cancer
- Colon & rectal cancers
The ‘Color Test’ for Blood in the Stool
One important observation to begin making is the color of blood in your stool. Colors can indicate where the bleeding may be coming from, and the severity of its cause. Blood in the stool may be:
- Bright Red – often if the bleeding is coming from around the anus (especially with hemorrhoids or tears)
- Maroon/Dark red – may indicate the bleeding is coming from a further section like the transverse colon
- Black Blood – patients who see black stool are most likely bleeding from the upper part of the GI tract, or the blood has been in the colon long enough to be broken down by bacteria.
- Non-visible – It’s also important to know that some bleeding may be “occult,” meaning not visible to the naked eye. This is one reason it’s especially important to be checked if you’re anemic; you could be bleeding yet have no idea.
Anytime you see blood in your stool, your body is trying to tell you something. It may be a minor issue that’s easily repaired, or it could indicate something more serious. We recommend scheduling an appointment with a gastroenterologist right away if you spot rectal bleeding. We can help diagnose the problem and stop the bleeding by identifying the cause.
