Rectal bleeding...

[Mumof1plustwins]

My friends has just called me in tears saying her DP has for the 3rd time (?) in a year had a lot of rectal bleeding when he does a poo but he refuses to see GP or go hospital. Now I believe its something bad but don't want to say anything to further upset her but wondered what I can found out here?
So he's 50, smokes 20 pack a day (has done most his life), eats a fairly varied diet, eats fruit just not much veg...and is active (ie heavy lifting at work)
What's the suspected diagnosis?

her dh needs to go to the GP

He needs to get checked out

Yes it's embarrassing but it's his health

I have ulcerative colitis and one of the symptoms is bleeding

It wasn't my favourite moment being examined but at least I knew what I was dealing with

He cannot get diagnosed over the internet

And yes your friend is right to be worried as it can indicate cancer

However, bowel cancer caught early is treatable with good outcomes

I said he needs to go Dr but she says he point blank refuses
He's the type that would rather not know if he had cancer and if he did he wouldn't even get treatment!
I think we can rule out piles because she said he's had that before and knows what it is etc
What's polyps?

Someone close to me had what you described but was also in absolute agony every time they went to the loo and has lost almost four stone in a year, it turned out he had an anal fissure (tear) and piles. He couldn't eat as it made going to the toilet uncomfortable, hence the weight loss. He to had a job that required really heavy lifting.

I don't know if he has any pain, she didn't mention that although did say he had a stomach upset so maybe that is the pain?

I'll have to see if she can't force persuade him to go GP...i somehow doubt it though...

Show him this thread

There are lots of things it can be - some serious and some not

My condition whilst chronic is treatable and is well controlled with tablets

For the sake of his family who are clearly worried he needs to go to a GP

It could be a dozen simple things like fissures.

Anal fissures are extremely common, painful and bleed but, relatively speaking, a really minor problem. They can be treated with antibiotics or may need a small operation, but they not a big deal!

Even if it is something far more serious like colon cancer, early detection makes a huge difference to the prognosis.