Is it common?
Seeing blood on the toilet paper or in the bowl is common. The most frequent causes are haemorrhoids (piles) and anal fissures, which are not serious and usually easy to treat.
When should I see my GP?
Always mention rectal bleeding to your GP, even if you think it is piles. See your GP promptly if the bleeding is new and you are over 50, if it comes with a change in bowel habit lasting more than a few weeks, weight loss, tummy pain or tiredness, or if there is a family history of bowel cancer.
When is it an emergency?
Go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 112 or 999 if you are passing a lot of blood or clots, or feel faint, dizzy or very unwell.
What does a check involve?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and usually examine the back passage. Many people are then offered a colonoscopy, a camera test of the bowel done under sedation, to find the cause and treat it at the same time where possible.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor.