Bleeding bottom - 5 weeks

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Hi.

I have bleeding from my bottom that has been ongoing for 5 weeks. I went to see GP at 3 weeks. He didn’t examine me but I had a colonoscopy last year (May) that was clear other than piles. (This was due to a positive blood fecal test due to stomach pain/loose stools for a while). My doctor said it’s the piles and gave me some cream to use (I’d used anusol and they didn’t work). 
I did phone the doctor a week later as I was concerned but he told me not to call him for another month.

My toileting is all over the place. The blood is generally bright red, however there seems to be some clots/chunks and there is mucus too. Sometimes I have the urge to go and it’s just mucus. I don’t want to worry, however it’s quite disturbing everytime I go to the toilet and see blood on the stool, in the pan etc :/

  • Hi ashleythe3rd,

    Thank you for contacting Macmillan. My name is Michael, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I am very sorry to hear that have bleeding from your bottom that has been ongoing for 5 weeks, and that your toileting is all over the place.

    I can imagine that this must be disturbing for you, as it not normal to have blood, clots/chunks and/or mucus in your stools.

    We cannot say what is causing your current bleeding, and we do not have access to any of your medical records.

    With any new, worsening or changing symptoms, and because your symptoms aren’t improving, we strongly advise you to seek medical help straightaway.

    We would advise that you contact your GP again and make sure that they are fully aware about the blood, clots/chunks and mucus in your stools, and also any other symptoms you are experiencing. You can ask the GP what they think might be causing these symptoms, and why they wanted you to wait for another month before contacting them.   

    I have included the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline, NG12 for suspected lower gastrointestinal tract cancers for you to look at. The GP follows this guidance when making clinical decisions

    If you cannot get an urgent GP appointment today, then you need to contact NHS 111. If you feel that your condition is ever life threatening, then dial 999.

     

    I hope this has been helpful.  

    With best wishes, Michael

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email

    REF MH/JL

  • Hi. I have spoken to my doctor and he is sending me for bloods and an urgent referral to the bowel doctor at the hospital. I’m a little concerned, I was hoping it would just get better. I had a colonoscopy last year and this was clear. Is this reassuring?

  • Hi ashleythe3rd

     

    Thank you for getting back to us with an update. My name is Vanessa, and I am a colleague of Michael’s working on the Macmillan Cancer Support Line.

     

    I’m pleased to see that you went back to your GP, and they have arranged for you to be seen at the hospital, although I appreciate this is causing you some anxiety.

     

    There are lots of reasons why people can bleed from the bottom, and we would expect someone who has your symptoms to be referred for further tests. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer; it just means more tests are required to try and understand what is causing your symptoms. Over 90% of people referred on an urgent or potential cancer referral pathway will not have cancer.

     

    It is good that your colonoscopy was clear last year, but as your symptoms are persistent you do need to be reviewed by the hospital team.

     

    Having and waiting for the results of tests can be stressful, as you have no control over how quickly you will get the results.

     

    Please remember we are here to support you during this time. You might find it helpful to give us a call. We often find we can explain our answers in a bit more detail over the phone, giving you the opportunity to ask more questions if needed

     

    I hope you find this information helpful.

     

     

    Take care

     

    Vanessa G, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref VG/BL