How can you tell hemorrhoids from colon cancer?
Medically reviewed by Dr. Robert William, MD · Written by Kevin Schwaner · Updated July 2026
Quick Answer
Hemorrhoids typically cause bright red blood on the paper or in the bowl with itching or a lump, and symptoms come and go. Warning signs that warrant prompt evaluation include dark or mixed-in blood, a change in bowel habits or stool caliber, unexplained weight loss, or persistent symptoms. Only a doctor can rule out other causes, so any new rectal bleeding should be checked.
Hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer can both cause rectal bleeding, which is exactly why bleeding should never be self-diagnosed. Hemorrhoid bleeding is usually bright red, appears on the paper or coats the stool, comes with itching or a palpable lump, and fluctuates with flares. It is the most common cause of visible rectal bleeding.
Signs that are not typical of hemorrhoids and deserve prompt evaluation include blood that is dark, maroon, or mixed throughout the stool; a persistent change in bowel habits or stool caliber; unexplained weight loss; fatigue or anemia; and bleeding that continues despite hemorrhoid care. Only a clinical exam, and sometimes a colonoscopy, can distinguish the two, so any new or changing rectal bleeding warrants a doctor visit.
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Sources
- NIH / NIDDK: Hemorrhoids
- ASCRS Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hemorrhoids
Related Questions
How do you stop a hemorrhoid from bleeding? →When should you see a doctor for hemorrhoids? →Are hemorrhoids dangerous? →*Informational only, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Any rectal bleeding should be evaluated by a doctor. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.