Bleeding from your anus for 5+ years

Hello Hotchoclate175,

Thanks for getting in touch and a warm welcome to the Online Community. I’m Heidi one of the Cancer Information Nurses here on the Macmillan Support Line.

Please don’t apologise for reaching out, we are glad that you have. It is understandable that you are worried about the symptoms you have been experiencing over such a long period of time.

You have done all the right things by getting your symptoms checked but I can appreciate you don’t feel reassured as your symptoms persist.

Having rectal bleeding can be very upsetting. It is important to know where the bleeding is coming from. The colour of the blood can indicate where the bleeding is coming from and as you mentioned it is bright red. This usually means the bleeding originates in the lower colon or rectum. But some rectal bleeding is not visible with the naked eye.

I might help to keep a symptom diary if you haven’t already done so. As you have mentioned you have lost weight so keeping a food and weight diary would also be useful. This will enable you and your doctor to see if there is any pattern to your symptoms, or if they are linked to anything specific, for example what you have eaten, or whether you may be constipated or have pain. This may also provide the evidence you need for further investigation.

There can be lots of causes for anal or rectal bleeding. IBS alone doesn’t usually cause bleeding but if you are passing hard stools constipation can lead to trauma in the area and bleeding. Other inflammatory bowel conditions can cause bleeding. One simple cause to rule out could be haemorrhoids.

Your GP may not be concerned as your symptoms are intermittent, and you have had them a long time without becoming progressively unwell. We would always advise however any persistent, new or worsening symptoms that you contact your GP or NHS 111 to be assessed.

It might help to talk to a different GP within your Practice, you could check with the Practice manager if there is a GP that has experience or specialist knowledge of conditions affecting bowel changes and bleeding. You might also ask if there is a GP that understands how anxious this has made you as a younger person.

You could ask what assessment and referral pathway tool, or criteria they use, to reassure you that everything has been considered in investigating your symptoms. 

It is understandable that you might be worried about cancer, but if this is affecting your day to day life it is equally as important that your GP can support you with this.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch again if we can support you further.

With best wishes

Heidi

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 email us. 

Ref/ KE /HC