Benign tissue growths or polyps of the colon are very common. These growths can cause either bright red blood or occult bleeding. They also may be precursors of colorectal cancer which is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States. One of the presenting signs that it may have is lower GI bleeding. Colon cancer is the most serious cause of lower GI bleeding, but it should be emphasized that other conditions are far more common causes of bleeding than this disorder.
Colon cancer occurs with equal frequency in men and women.
Colon cancer rarely begins as a cancer, but more commonly begins as a benign polyp which can easily be recognized and treated before it becomes cancerous. Two other common causes of lower GI bleeding are diverticular disease and angiodysplasia. Diverticular disease, referred to as diverticulosis, is caused by outpouching of the colon wall and can result in massive bleeding. When diverticula become inflamed this is referred to as diverticulitis. The signs of bleeding in the digestive tract depend on the site and severity of bleeding.