Is blood in your stool a sign of rectal cancer?

Rectal bleeding can occur for a variety of reasons and not all of them are a sign of rectal cancer. Therefore, it's important to seek medical attention if you notice blood in your stool, especially if it is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, changes in bowel habits, or fatigue. The presence of blood in the stool does not necessarily indicate rectal cancer, but it should always be evaluated by a medical professional to determine the underlying cause and rule out any serious or potentially life-threatening conditions.