What condition should be suspected if a patient is experiencing rectal bleeding?

When a patient presents with rectal bleeding, colorectal cancer should be a primary consideration due to its serious implications and prevalence, particularly in certain risk groups such as those over the age of 50 or with a family history of such cancers. Colorectal cancer can lead to various symptoms, including changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and, notably, rectal bleeding, which may present as bright red blood or darker stools, depending on the location of the tumor within the colon.

It is essential to evaluate this symptom through appropriate diagnostic measures because early detection of colorectal cancer significantly improves treatment outcomes. Although other conditions, such as hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and gastroenteritis can also cause rectal bleeding, colorectal cancer remains a significant and worrisome possibility that necessitates further investigation through imaging, colonoscopy, or biopsy to confirm or rule out malignancy.