Rectal bleeding can refer to any blood that passes from your anus. It can come from anywhere in the gut. Rectal bleeding may show up as blood in your stool, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. Blood that results from rectal bleeding can range in colour from bright red to dark maroon to a dark, tarry colour. It can be from simple thing such as haemorrids or something more important or serious such as a cancer. Rectal bleeding should be investigated and treated as needed to avoid missing a serious cause.