Doctors: Don’t ignore rectal bleeding
Medical experts urge people not to dismiss rectal bleeding as merely embarrassing; persistent or recurring blood in the stool can be an early sign of colorectal cancer and should be evaluated by a provider.
People often dismiss rectal bleeding as a minor or embarrassing problem, but doctors say it should never be ignored because it can be an early warning sign of colorectal cancer, MSKCC reported. While hemorrhoids and other noncancerous conditions frequently cause blood in the stool or on toilet paper, medical experts say persistent or recurring bleeding should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out more serious conditions.