If you have blood in your stool or notice blood in the toilet or on the toilet paper after a bowel movement, call your doctor right away. Do not wait to see if it goes away on its own. And If you're over 45, we recommend scheduling a colonoscopy – whether you have risk factors or not.
Older patients will need to have a full colon investigation as appropriate, whereas younger, low-risk patients with rectal bleeding should be considered for flexible sigmoidoscopy. If other symptoms are present or there is a family history, then colonoscopy may be indicated.
Finding blood in your stool can be frightening, but it is more common than you might think. Bloody stool can indicate mild perianal disease—conditions like hemorrhoids or fissures that can happen near the anus—or something much more worrisome, such as inflammatory bowel disease, or even cancer.
Most patients developing colorectal cancer will eventually present with symptoms. Primary symptoms include rectal bleeding persistently without anal symptoms and change in bowel habit—most commonly, increased frequency or looser stools (or both)—persistently over six weeks.
Stage I Colon Cancer is a tumor that affects the inner layer of the colon. Stage I Colon Cancer symptoms include stomach pain, diarrhea and weight loss. Symptoms also include bloody stool or blood in your stool.
Thin stools are a sign of colon cancer. Any time you notice a narrow or ribbon-like stool, it indicates changes in your colon.
Colon cancer is typically slow-growing, starting as a benign polyp that eventually becomes malignant. This process may occur over many years without producing any symptoms. Once colon cancer has developed, it may still be years before it is detected.
There's no upper age limit for colon cancer screening. But most medical organizations in the United States agree that the benefits of screening decline after age 75 for most people and there's little evidence to support continuing screening after age 85. Discuss colon cancer screening with your health care provider.
Not only can a colonoscopy detect precancerous polyps, but these polyps can usually be removed during the procedure to decrease the risk that they will develop into cancer. I encourage all people at average risk of colon cancer to get at least one colonoscopy beginning at age 45.
Screening for and surveillance of colorectal cancer are among the indications for colonoscopy. Although colorectal cancer is highly preventable, it remains the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States.
Rectal bleeding is a symptom of conditions like hemorrhoids, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcers and colorectal cancer. Typically, you notice rectal bleeding on toilet paper, in the water of the toilet bowl or in your stool.
For example, a black, tarry stool is likely an ulcer or other problem in the upper part of the digestive tract. Bright red blood or maroon-colored stools usually indicate a problem in the lower part of the digestive tract such as hemorrhoids or diverticulitis.
Scan for Color Changes
Colon cancer can cause bleeding in the digestive tract and make your stool a dark brown, maroon, or black.
Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. If there are symptoms, the following may indicate colon cancer: Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen.
Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include: A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool. Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool. Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain.
Unusual bowel habits
Constipation (usually defined as going three times or less a week), diarrhea (which means having more, or more liquid, bowel movements than usual), or feeling like your bowels aren't emptying completely when you go to the bathroom are other possible signs of colorectal cancer.
Blood from higher up in the bowel doesn't look bright red. It goes dark red or black and can make your poo look like tar. This type of bleeding can be a sign of cancer higher up the bowel.
The 3 main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in the stools (faeces), a change in bowel habit, such as more frequent, looser stools, and abdominal (tummy) pain.
The general progression of colon cancer tends to be slow, but it is still a serious disease that warrants prompt medical attention. If you notice any of the following symptoms, be sure to speak with a physician: Frequent diarrhea or constipation. Blood in stool.