If there is no occult blood in stools can you still have cancer?

Yes, it is possible to have cancer even if there is no occult blood in stools. Occult blood in stools is a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract, which can be a symptom of cancer, but it is not always present in people with cancer. Some cancers, such as early-stage colon cancer, may not cause bleeding at all, while others may cause bleeding only intermittently. Additionally, some people may have gastrointestinal bleeding from non-cancerous conditions, such as hemorrhoids or ulcers. Therefore, the absence of occult blood in stools does not rule out the possibility of cancer, and further investigation may be necessary if other symptoms are present.