Rectal Bleeding Rectal bleeding is a symptom of many different conditions, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer. You may notice rectal bleeding on your toilet paper when you wipe or when you see blood in your stool . It’s important to contact a healthcare provider about rectal bleeding. Not all causes are serious, but some of them are. Causes of blood in your stool include your diet, hard bowel movements, hemorrhoids, or stomach ulcers. In severe cases, it could signal colorectal cancer. Finding blood in stool can be concerning, but the cause may be relatively harmless. Here, learn about the causes in adults and children and when to seek help. Blood in stool can be a sign of colon cancer or haemorrhoids, depending on the colour and placement of the blood . Learn how to distinguish between the two and when to see a doctor.