What are the possible causes of minor rectal bleeding?
• Hemorrhoids • Anal fissures • Proctitis (inflammation of the rectum) • Polyps • Colon or anal cancer • Rectal ulcers Understanding Minor Rectal Bleeding Minor rectal bleeding refers to the passage of a few drops of bright red (fresh) blood from the rectum, which may appear on the stool, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. This brochure addresses minor rectal bleeding that occurs from time to time. Continuous passage of significantly greater amounts of blood from the rectum or stools that appear black, tarry or maroon in color can be caused by other diseases that will not be discussed here. Call your doctor immediately if these more serious conditions occur. Because there are several possible causes for minor rectal bleeding, a complete evaluation and early diagnosis by your doctor is very important. Rectal bleeding, whether it is minor or not, can be a symptom of colon cancer, a type of cancer that can be cured if detected early. What are hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids (also called
