blood in stool and bloating

[golden50]

i have had blood in my stool for some time, over a year.  i originally thought it might be from hemmoroids, but my mother recently was diagnosed with colon cancer so now i feel that i should find out for sure.  also, within the last 4 months my abdomen has been very bloated and i have been very gassy.

[mammo]

A lot does depend on your age, and everyone starting at 50 should be getting regular colonoscopies.  Because cancers tend to be hereditary, I would get to a GI doctor and get checked out to be on the safe side.  The blood may be hemorrhoids, but since your mother was diag. with colon cancer, and you have other symptoms, I would error on the cautious side. Bloating and gas can result from what you are eating, or IBS.  But instead of guessing, see a GI doctor and put your mind at ease.

[boron]

Can you locate the bloating (under the ribs, lower abdomen...)?
Any pain, and where - upper or lower right or left abdomen ?
Any other symptoms like diziness, jaundice, any positive tests so far?

How old are you?