Blood in Stool, Other Symptoms

[daveadams85]

About 6 weeks ago, I noticed some blood on toilet paper after I wiped; I didn't think much of it at the time.  About 2 weeks later, there was blood in my stool and in the toilet water.  This has persisted with each bowel movement since, along diarrhea and constipation.  My blood work showed low iron (likely due to the blood loss), white cell count was slightly elevated, and SED rate was elevated.  With all of this, the word "cancer' floods my mind.  My mother had ulcerative colitis with colon cancer later on as a complication from the colitis.  Could there be several other likely causes?  Is cancer at the top of the list?

[specialmom]

Gosh, sorry to hear about this. Ulcerative colitis would have been my first thought with what you describe. I take it that it is bright red blood? Coffee grounds or black specks indicate bleeding more in your colon while bright red blood is closer to your anus. This link has all sorts of possibilities besides cancer. https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2022/03/blood-in-stool   Take a look at the link (copy and paste) and see what matches you best and we'll talk from there. I can tell you are worried but note, most people don't have cancer. With your family history, you will and should be watched more closely.