Rectal Bleeding

Your bleeding is of more concern because of your personal or family history.

Most people with minimal rectal bleeding do not have a dangerous cause of their symptoms. However, you should contact your doctor because your likelihood of having a polyp or cancer is increased.

If your mother, father, sister or brother has had colon polyps or cancer, you at a higher risk. The level of risk depends upon your current age and the age at which one or more first degree relatives were diagnosed with a polyp or cancer. Colonoscopy will likely be recommended now or for the future.

If you are older than 50 or have ever had a polyp, your doctor will most likely recommend a colonoscopy.

Colon polyps

Colon polyps are bulges of intestine tissue that dangle or protrude into the hollow of the colon. They often bleed. Polyps need to be removed because they may form cancers if they are left within the intestine.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in the United States. It is preventable, if colon polyps are discovered and removed. Colorectal cancer can be cured by surgery if it is found at an early stage.