A 44-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of rectal bleeding and change in bowel habit to looser, more frequent stools. He has unintentionally...

Question

A 44-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of rectal bleeding and change in bowel habit to looser, more frequent stools. He has unintentionally lost 4 kg. There is no obvious haemorrhoid on examination. What is the most appropriate action in primary care?

Accepted Answer

Make a suspected cancer two-week-wait referral to colorectal surgery

Answer

Offer reassurance and treat as haemorrhoids

Answer

Arrange a routine outpatient colonoscopy with no urgency

Answer

Start iron therapy and review in 3 months

Answer

Arrange faecal occult blood testing and wait for results before referring

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Suspected colorectal cancer

A 44-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of rectal bleeding and change in bowel habit to looser, more frequent stools. He has unintentionally lost 4 kg. There is no obvious haemorrhoid on examination. What is the most appropriate action in primary care?