What is Minor Rectal Bleeding?

Minor rectal bleeding (MRB) is when a few drops of bright red or fresh blood pass from the rectum into stools, toilet paper and/or a toilet bowl. Most of the causes of MRB are benign, not life threatening and easily treatable. There are, however, instances where rectal bleeding is a symptom of colon cancer, which can be cured if it is detected early enough. The key takeaway is that patients who experience MRB should be evaluated by a gastroenterologist.