What’s normal, what’s not! Rectal bleeding

Small spots of red on the toilet paper when you wipe your bum? Or red droplets in the toilet bowl? You might have piles – a swollen blood vessel in your bum – or a tear in the skin around your anus. Both can be easily sorted, but don’t ignore it. It could be a sign of bowel, colon or rectal cancer. See a doctor, especially if your faeces are dark-red and sticky.