Does Blood In Stool Mean Colon Cancer

When someone sees blood in their stool their mind often jumps to colon cancer but the first sign of colon cancer is usually anemia dr.

Does blood in stool mean colon cancer.

Those on the left side are more likely to present with bright red blood. They found that patients who had. Anemia is usually picked up during routine blood work. Blood usually but not always can be detected through a fecal occult hidden blood test in which samples of stool are submitted to a lab for detection of blood.

Colon cancer may lead to more significant bleeding or blood intermixed amongst stools the actual appearance of the blood is the same meaning it s the same shade of red whether it s from a bleeding hemorrhoid or a cancerous tumor in the lower colon. Cancer screening tests for colon cancer thus are important in individuals 50 and older. Cancers on the right side are more likely to have dark tarry stools. As the stool passes along the swollen tissue may obstruct the stool causing the hemorrhoid to rupture and bleed.

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women. The blood is usually bright red in color and watery in consistency. Unexplained weight loss unexplained fatigue loss of appetite pencil thin or ribbon like stools feeling a need to void even after bowel movements and constipation alternating with diarrhea. Bright red blood in the stool typically indicates that there is bleeding in the rectum or colon which may be a sign of colon or rectal cancer.

Other symptoms of colon cancer besides blood mixed with feces. Typically occult blood is passed in such small amounts that it can be detected only through the chemicals used in a fecal occult blood test. Rectal bleeding can also be caused by hemorrhoids. A standard test for colon cancer that looks for blood in the stool may turn up more risks than doctors or patients bargained for researchers reported monday.

Black stools melena are much less common overall but are more likely to come with colon cancer than is red fresh looking blood. Symptoms of colon cancer may not be present or be minimal and overlooked until it becomes more severe. Blood in the stool is commonly a sign of hemorrhoids not colon cancer. Occult blood in the stool may indicate colon cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum though not all cancers or polyps bleed.

It s not as though a certain shade or red means it must be colon cancer.