Blood in stool and low red and white blood cells

Hello EmanSh and welcome. Firstly don't panic. Both radiotherapy and hormone therapy can affect the red and white blood counts which is why you have regular blood tests. It is well known that the HT can cause anaemia which is shown as a drop in red bloods plus it can affect the immune system with a lowering of white blood counts. Having a good balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables is normally all that is necessary to correct things but if your doctor is worried then they can provide medication to help. Radiotherapy can occasionally affect the bowels months or even years after treatment. If the doctor is worried then they will arrange for tests to check things out.

The HT had a big effect on my husband emotionally and tears were common. If your husband is struggling with the side effects then there is help for him and something which he needs to speak to his medical team about. Don't forget to look after yourself.

Hi Alwayshope

So good to see you incredibly kind and valuable comments. 

I feel more reassured. We have oncology catch up next week I do hope he provides advice.

Change of diet is a great idea and doable

Feel sorry for my man as he has been trying to book a holiday

Thanks again and best wishes 

Passing blood is very common after radiotherapy to that area.

I had full pelvic radiation and blood absolutely poured out of me 

Hello EmanSh   If it helps I’m 6 months post-RT. I have just checked my December ‘25 blood test results for you and the white cell count is at the minimum of the normal range and the red cell count is well below the minimum. Lymphocytes are also very low. In July ‘24 they were all well within the normal range. I think this is common after RT.

Good to see his PSA at 0.01 - that is really encouraging. 

Dear Apmlitude and Roger that

Thank you for sharing your experiences . So valuable

I now understand the side effects of RT and HT better. Hoping good diet and time improves things.

I will write an update and share

Best wishes xxx

Hi

Rectal bleeding is quite a common side effect of radiotherapy. I had it quite badly towards the end of my radiotherapy and it was quite unnerving the first time it happened.

Once I finished my treatment it did get better but reoccurred intermittently over the next couple of years. I'm now about 30 months past my treatment and I've not had a bad bleed for a while now.

I've had 3 bowel cancer screening tests and  not one of them has picked up on the bleeding.

When I was undergoing RT one of the consultants did observe that many men get unnecessary colonoscopies post RT because their bleeding gets picked up by a cancer screening test.

I hope your husband cheers up its doesn't sound like his diagnosis is too bad and he stands a good chance of being cured by the treatment he has received.

All the Best

Rob (Sandberg)