Detecting blood of any forms in your stools is a significant finding that one should never take lightly. The forms that blood can appear ranges from fresh red, deep maroon to tarry black. In general, the brighter the colour of the bloodstains, the nearer the source of bleeding from your anus.
The causes of bleeding in our lower digestive tract include infections, piles (haemorrhoids), minor anal tears (anal fissure), bleeding polyps as well as colon cancer. Having any one of the above problems in the past does not provide immunity to developing other problems. In fact, many people have more than one reason for blood in their stools.
So if you discover blood in your stools the next time, please do not assume it is from your piles. Please remember early detection always ensures a better prognosis for colon cancer.
- Dr Quan
