Does Colon Cancer Cause Blood In Stool?

Posted on Thu, 28 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 Aug 2014 Answered on

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Sir, My brother found blood in stool twice in one month. Is it a symptom of any kind of cancer like Colon cancer? Blood is combination of fresh and old dark blood.
To whom should i consult to check the cancer?
What test needs to be done to check whether it is a cancer or not?
What all possible reason for this kind of bleeding apart from cancer?
If it is not cancer how to detect the actual reason for the same and to whom should I consult?
please answer the questions.
Also based on above question please advice what to do step by step.

Answered by Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
other causes apart from cancer likely

Detailed Answer:
you said your brother had bood in stools twice this month. Cancer is not the only cause of blood in stools. Other common causes are haemorrhoids or piles and fissure ( they r painful). other non cancer causes are very rare.
Almost all the causes can be diagnosed with scopy. First thing is to consult gastroenterologist. He would perform colonoscopy to check site and cause of bleed.
If colonoscopy is normal, upper GI endoscopy is required.
Also he might ask for some more tests depending on clinical examination

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad