Rectal bleeding indicates that the patient complains of the presence of blood passed per rectum. The patient is not simply faecal occult blood positive.
It is a common symptom in adults of all ages.
In the vast majority of patients in primary care, the cause will be benign and most often a benign anorectal condition such as haemorrhoids and/or an anal fissure. However, rectal bleeding may be a symptom of colorectal cancer or ulcerative colitis (1).
It must not be attributed to haemorrhoids without proper investigation.
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