BMJ  2006;333 (8 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7558.0

New onset rectal bleeding should be investigated in everybody over 45

The risk for primary care patients aged 45 years with new onset rectal bleeding of having colonic neoplasia may be one in 10, irrespective of other symptoms. Over a decade, du Toit and colleagues (p 69) undertook bowel investigation in all patients 45 years who presented in their general practice with new onset rectal bleeding. Of the 265 patients with new onset rectal bleeding, 15 (5.7%) were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 13 (4.9%) patients had colonic adenoma. Only two of the patients with cancer had had diarrhoea. Current UK referral guidelines for suspected cancer should be changed, suggest the authors.

Credit: CUSTOM MEDICAL STOCK/SPL

 

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