Monday 18th January 2021 GatewayC have produced a list of cancer charity support lines for people who may be worried about their cancer diagnosis, or are concerned about how COVID-19 might affect their cancer treatment. Please download this PDF resource or find the...
Cancer Keys: Rectal Bleeding
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Rectal Bleeding
Rectal bleeding is a key symptom of colorectal cancer, but there are also a lot of benign causes. What can help you to assess the significance?
Potential pitfall
Patients and GPs might be falsely reassured by the fact that rectal bleeding has stopped. Tumours often bleed intermittently so this should not stop a suspected cancer referral if other concerning symptoms are present.
Helpful hint
Rectal examination is essential. Bleeding from piles does not usually result in blood on the examining finger so if on removal, blood is found on the examining digit, this may be indicative of a pathology other than haemorrhoids and a suspected cancer referral should be made.
Cancer Keys are brought to you by GatewayC.
Download this Cancer Key here.
Access GatewayC’s Colorectal – Early Diagnosis course here.