Red Blood in Stool (Poop) – Is it a Sign of Cancer?

If you have darker-coloured stools or observe apparent blood in your stool, this could be a sign of rectum or intestinal bleeding.

There may occasionally be bleeding present but not visible to the naked eye. Read further to know if it is cancer.

Jump To :

1. Is Blood in Stool Dangerous?
2. Is Blood in Stool Cancerous or Not ?
3. Black Stool with No Pain
4. Is Red Stool in Women Different from Men?

Blood in the stools is often an indication of rectal or bleeding from the left half of the colon ( last part of colon that joins the rectum), which could be a symptom of colon or bowel cancer.

However, there are much more common causes compared to cancer. Haemorrhoids may also result in rectal bleeding.

Haemorrhoid patients typically report symptoms that fluctuate with flare-ups, whereas cancer-related rectal bleeding typically persists or increases.

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The presence or absence of pain does not indicate the underlying cause.

Bleeding from haemorrhoids ( piles ) is usually painless unless it is associated with fissure or thrombosis. Most of the bleeding in rectal and colonic cancer is painless. 

If there is bleeding in the intestine before the rectum and left colon, it usually results in dark red or black coloured stools (poop) and you will not notice obvious blood in stools.

This is because the blood that has entered the intestine stays there longer and gets degraded.

The degraded products mix with stool and give the stool a dark/black colour.

Black-coloured stools usually indicate bleeding in the stomach or upper intestine while dark red blood mixed with stools indicates bleeding in the right half of the colon (first part of the large intestine).

A must read, Is Colon Cancer Curable if Caught Early?

Is Blood in Stool Cancerous or Not?

Here are some symptoms of non-cancerous and cancerous blood stools. 

Changes in your regular bowel routine or blood in the stool are two important signs of bowel cancer. Although they might also be present with other illnesses.

Hence it’s necessary to visit your doctor. 

Signs of cancerous blood in stool or large bowel cancer :

• Blood in your faeces (poop) or bleeding out from the back channel (rectum)
• Variations in your regular bowel pattern, such as constipation, more frequent pooping, or looser poop
• A lump in your belly or back passage, usually on the right side, that your doctor may feel
• Even after releasing your bowels, you still feel as though you need to push in your back canal (like you’ll have to poop).
• shedding weight
• discomfort in your back or abdomen
• fatigue and shortness of breath brought on by an abnormally low quantity of red blood cells (anaemia)

Cancer can obstruct the bowel occasionally. We refer to this as an intestinal blockage. The signs consist of:

• Abdominal aches that hurt
• Experiencing bloat
• Constipation and difficulty breathing
• Becoming ill
• An intestinal blockage is a serious situation. If you suspect a bowel obstruction, consult your doctor right away or visit A&E at the closest hospital.

Non-cancerous blood in stool :

Haemorrhoids, often known as piles, are enlarged veins in the lower rectum and anus that resemble varicose veins.

External haemorrhoids, which appear underneath the skin surrounding the anus, are haemorrhoids that form outside the rectum (external haemorrhoids).

Symptoms:

• Inflammation or itching in the anal area
• Any discomfort or pain
• Your anus is swollen.
• Bleeding
• bleeding that is painless during bowel motions. Small quantities of light red blood may be seen on your toilet paper or in the bowl.
• A prolapsed or projecting haemorrhoid that pushes through the anal orifice, causing discomfort and irritation.