Rectal bleeding under 50: don't assume it's hemorrhoids
Colorectal cancer is still uncommon in younger adults, but it has been increasing for years in people under 50. Canadians born after 1980 are 2 to 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed before age 50 than people born earlier. Younger patients also tend to be diagnosed later, often because symptoms such as bleeding are put down to hemorrhoids for months.
What this means for you
- Most rectal bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids or a small tear (fissure). But bleeding should not be assumed to be hemorrhoids without an examination, at any age.
- See your family doctor if you have rectal bleeding that keeps coming back or doesn't settle, a lasting change in your bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, ongoing abdominal pain, or low iron (anemia).
- Your doctor may examine you and order blood tests. If needed, they will refer you for a colonoscopy, which is the test used to investigate symptoms.
- The take-home FIT stool test is a screening test for people with no symptoms, usually aged 50 to 74. It is not the right test if you already have symptoms.
- If a parent, brother, sister or child has had colorectal cancer, you may need screening colonoscopy earlier than age 50. Talk to your family doctor about when to start.
Talk to your doctor
Summit Surgical sees patients by referral only. If your family doctor thinks you need a colonoscopy or a surgical opinion, they can refer you to us directly or through FAST.
Sources (for clinicians)
De Vera MA, Gill S, Ashamalla S, et al. Early-Age-Onset Colorectal Cancer in Canada: Evidence, Issues and Calls to Action. Curr Oncol. 2022;29(5):3149–3159.
Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program; Toward Optimized Practice. Colorectal Cancer Screening Clinical Practice Guideline.
Reviewed by the surgeons of Summit Surgical, November 2026. General information only — your doctor will advise on your own situation.
