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Rectal bleeding Passing small amounts of bright red blood from the anus or rectum (back passage) is common. It may occur on its own or with an associated change in bowel habit and is often due to something simple such as haemorrhoids ('piles') or a tear in the delicate skin lining the anal canal (called an anal fissure). Sometimes it can be the result of inflammation in the rectum (proctitis) or a polyp (benign growth) or cancer in the bowel. Bowel cancer can occur at any age but is rare below the age of 40. Most people with persistent or recurrent rectal bleeding for more than a few weeks should be investigated and Gastroenterologists regularly investigate people with this symptom, usually by colonoscopy.
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