I have IBS and now rectal bleeding

Here is some background information...I am a 35 year old female, obese (5'7" tall 275 pounds), no other major medical issues other then IBS.  I have given birth to two children, most recent birth was 10 years ago.  I previously had camplybactor when I was 18 years old and my bowels have never been the same since. Having diarrhea is more the norm for me then the exception.  I do occationally have hard stools if my diet is poor that week.  I am not on any medications for my IBS, just the occationally OTC gas pills for the discomfort I get sometimes. My only medications that I take on a regular basis is Adderall (adderrall) and Dextrostat for my ADHD which I have taken for about 9 years.  I recently relocated to a new state and I have been under an extreme amount of stress for the past 2 months due to lack of being able to find a job and my husband not being able to find work in this economy.  Now for the problem I am having...

I have been having a problem on and off for the past 6 months.  After a BM I am seeing BRIGHT RED blood both on the tissue and in the bowl.  Sometimes I find blood in my underwear.  Sometimes I can feel a hemorrhoid bulging from the anus and other times, nothing.  It is never painful or itchy like I read that hemorrhoids typically are.  The blood can be as severe as a menstrual flow but it does not last long.  The most recent episode happened yesterday, the day after a bad day with mucus, gas and diarrhea.  There was also clotting on the tissue which is something I do not recall happening before.  Today it appears to have stopped and I have had a bowel movement with no issue.  I took a long bath last night in hopes that if it is just hemorrhoids that it would shrink it along with tucks medicated pads.  
I do not have insurance so I do not know what to do.  My question is two fold...#1 Should I get this checked by a doctor and if yes, how do I do that without insurance or the means to pay for medical care? #2 Is this signs of rectal or colon cancer?  I am really scared...I do not want to over react but I do not want to ignore symptoms if they are something more serious.

No family history of bowel disease.  I do have a family history of breast cancer, uterine cancer, and aneurysms.

If any doctors read this and have any thoughts I would appreciate it.

[LivingInHope]

You may want to try taking metumucil, original texture on a daily basis to help your stools bulk up a little.  Fissures can also cause bright red bleeding.  As much as a menstrual flow, more than a tablespoon at a time, you should consider going in with a doctor whose office is willing to work out a payment plan with you/or give you a reduced fee.  Ask for only the essential work-up and tx, as each thing adds up in the money dept..  Go right to a specialist and skip the internal med/family practice dr to save money in the long run.  Also, you might want to research endometriosis of the bowel.