Bowel cancer symptoms: Signs include blood in stools that's bright red or dark maroon
However, there are a number of visual clues that can point to the risk of bowel cancer. "Any persisting change in your stools could be a sign of bowel cancer, especially in the over 60s or if there is blood in the stools as well," said Dr Micklewright. Blood in poo - a warning sign - is often responsible for the perceptible changes. Bowel cancer symptoms: Poo may appear bright red, dark maroon or even black (Image: Getty Images) As Dr Dr Micklewright explained, this may cause them to appear bright red, dark maroon or even black, depending on where in your gut the blood has come from.