Rectal bleeding Can be either bright or dark re where the blood is bright red or drips or sprays at the end of defaecation or is seen only on toilet paper, the source of bleeding is in the last half metre of the bowel commonly due to haemorrhoids or local ano-rectal conditions. Proctoscopy and colonoscopy are required.

When the blood is dark or mixed with the stool full investigation of the bowel with colonoscopy is required.  Red blood with diarrhoea or rusty mucus may accompany inflammatory bowel disease.