I am a 23 and have had blood in my stool for awhile now. When I say awhile, I mean on and off for about 2 1/2 years. It started right when I joined the military and was in bootcamp. I thought it may just be due to stress but it hasn't left.

Almost every bowl movement(1-2/day) there is blood on the TP and a few times a week there will be blood in my stool. I don't know if I should worry or not because it is bright blood always and I have never seen dark blood. In some cases, although rare, there has been enough blood to color the water.

I take care of myself for the most part and my diet rarely consists of red meat due to my high cholesterol. I do however chew tobacco which I have for approx 9years. I swallow my chew spit so I don't know if that is what is causing this.

Cancer does affect my family though it has only been showing up in the females. Two grandmothers died from stomach cancer and my aunt had ovarian cancer. If you could please help me figure out what this is I would really appreciate it! Thank you.