Finding blood in your stool can be alarming and raise immediate concerns about your health. Many people think that it might be a sign of cancer. But blood in your stool has many possible causes, and not every case is related to cancer. 

Understanding what blood in the stool means, how to interpret the symptom, and when to seek medical attention can help manage health outcomes and reduce unnecessary anxiety.

Reporting any instance of blood in your stool to a medical professional is essential, as it might point to a serious medical problem.

What Does Blood in Stool Look Like?

Blood in the stool appears in different ways, and the color of the blood and its appearance in the stool can indicate where the bleeding is occurring in the digestive tract. 

• Bright Red Color: It indicates bleeding from the lower part of the digestive tract such as rectum, anus, or lower colon
• Dark Maroon Color: It indicates bleeding from the intestine and colon
• Black, Tarry Color: It indicates bleeding from the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the stomach

The appearance of blood in the stool can also be influenced by how quickly it travels through the digestive system. For instance, if the blood is traveling rapidly, it will not get time to turn dark before it exits the body.

Major Causes for Blood in Stool

There are various reasons why you might notice blood in your stool. These causes vary from mild to severe conditions that need immediate medical care. Some major causes are:

• Hemorrhoids: Swollen veins in the rectum or anus which can bleed during bowel movements. They are the most common cause of bleeding and are not very serious. You can see bright red blood in the stool.
• Anal Fissures: It is a small tear in the lining of your anal canal. It is often caused by passing hard stools or constipation. They are similar to hemorrhoids but are more painful and need proper treatment to heal.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: It causes inflammation in the lining of the small and large intestines. It includes conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease that cause chronic abdominal pain and diarrhea, resulting in bleeding.
• Diverticulosis: It causes swelling or inflammation of small pouches in the colon, making the blood vessels more fragile, which leads to bleeding.
• Infections: Bacterial infections like E. coli and C. diff cause inflammation and bleeding, which leads to bloody diarrhea. 
• Peptic Ulcers: These ulcers happen in the stomach or duodenum, creating open sores. The blood in the stool may be dark, black, and tarry as the bleeding in the upper GI tract takes longer to come out.
• Medications: Certain medicines like blood thinners, anticoagulants, and NSAIDs can irritate the lining of the GI tract and cause bleeding.
• Colon or Rectal Polyps: A mushroom-like structure growing out of the side of your bowel that can bleed. They may or may not turn into cancer.

When Blood in Stool Might be Cancer?

Colon and rectal cancer cause blood in the stool, especially when the cancer is located in the lower part. 

Cancer-related bleeding appears as:

• Blood mixed in with the stool
• Persistent bleeding, even when hemorrhoids are absent
• Changes in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight loss
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Fatigue or weakness

Other potential symptoms that may occur with blood in stool:

• Feeling lightheaded
• Anemia
• Chest pain and shortness of breath
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying

Visually, it’s impossible to determine whether the blood in your stool is due to cancer or any other condition. That’s why some tests are vital to evaluate the condition.

• Stool Tests: To evaluate the stool for blood and signs of colon cancer
• Colonoscopy: A thin, long tube with a camera is inserted to look at the inside structure of the colon and rectum for polyps and tumors
• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): To check the hidden blood in the stool 
• Sigmoidoscopy: To examine the lower part of the colon and rectum 
• Barium Enema: To visualize the colon and rectum by using a contrast liquid

Regular screening is crucial as the blood in the stool due to cancer can be invisible. These screening tests help you find the cancer in the early stages.

Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

Below are some factors that increase the probability that blood in your stool might be cancer if:

• You are over 50
• You have a family history of colorectal cancer
• You have a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal polyps
• You smoke or consume alcohol
• You are overweight
• You are consuming red or processed meat

Many health problems exist even before symptoms start, and if you have one or more of these risk factors and notice blood in your stool, a prompt evaluation is necessary.

Your Next Steps After Finding Blood in Your Stool

If you notice blood in your stool, do not ignore it. Some people do not discuss the issue out of embarrassment or fear, allowing the disease to progress undetected. It is important to take note of the color, quantity, and frequency of the blood and discuss it with your healthcare provider. 

Also, look for associated symptoms like weight loss or a change in bowel habits, and be honest with the medical professional about your lifestyle and family history.

Regular screening is vital to catch the cancer in its early stages. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, or targeted therapies could be treatment options if cancer is found. Treatment can vary depending on the stage and location of the tumor.

Bottom Line

Consulting a doctor is crucial if you notice blood in your stool, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss, etc. While blood in the stool is not always a sign of cancer but it can be alarming. Public awareness, regular screening, and proper medical evaluation are vital to protect your health and take proactive steps.