Hi everyone, trying not to panic (as i always do) about blood on stool but going slightly crazy with worry about bowel cancer. I'm 38, and I think i've had piles since my daughter's birth a couple of years ago. It is often uncomfortable (a scratching feeling, not massive pain) and i have to strain to pass stools and I've had a tiny streak of blood on the paper a few times and assumed it was just piles. But then a month or so ago I noticed what looked like bright red blood on the surface of the stool and now it's happened a few more times (i'm now at the point where I stare down the toilet to try to work out if I can see blood anywhere!). I don't think it's 'mixed in' but how would I know since I can't see inside!!? Should I run in panic to the doctor and tell them I think i have bowel cancer, or try something else first? I've read so many stories of young women dying from bowel cancer that I'm terrified that's what I have. I don't have any other 'bowel' symptoms but I have quite bad health anxiety :( Would appreciate any responses!