What causes painless rectal bleeding after bowel movement?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 21 years old. For the past ten days, I have had painless rectal bleeding after a bowel movement. There is no change in my bowel habits, and my stools are normal.

I do not experience any weakness and have a good appetite. Still, I am worried about the bleeding. Could it be cancer?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Rectal bleeding alone is not a symptom of rectal cancer. Rectal cancer has other associated symptoms such as constipation, mild pain, and decreased appetite.

If you experience fresh blood after passing stool, then there might be a possibility of an anal fissure.

If any of your family members have a history of colon or rectal cancer, then you should do the CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) level test, which is a tumor marker for colon cancer, and it will be high in case of colon or rectal cancer. Otherwise, there is no need to do this test.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer.

For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.