Question 1

my dad ( 50 years old)  has had changes in his stool shape. what are the chances of changes in stool shape being colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Possible: The clinical indications of a tumor growing in the distal bowel or simoid/rectosigmoid region is the appearance of blood, or narrowing of stool.  Since the terminal large bowel  functions to completely remove water from the GI tract, the initial site being cecum/rt. colon, if a tumor is obstructing lumen, the stool becomes narrowed.  One requires colonoscopy to confirm source of problem.

Question 2

i have been having flat/thin stools, for about 2 weeks. i am a 35 year old female, no history of colon cancer in my family. no blood, no pain, normal colored stool, just the shape has changed. sometimes it's a normal bm, should i be concerned?

Accepted Answer

See below: What you described does not seem to be a cause for concern. you may wish to get your stool tested for occult blood. Your doctor can order a FIT test for this.
Have a healthy diet, exercise 30 minutes/day, drink plenty of water, have safe sex, no tobacco alcohol weed or street drugs. For nutrition: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/.

Question 3

i had polyuria now chronic prostatitis and now my stool has a shape to it is it due to large prostate or maybe had colon cancer all along? im 26

Accepted Answer

Probably not: You have multiple problems and concerns that should be evaluated by your physician. Colon cancer would be very unlikely, but the other problems need to be taken care of.

Question 4

increased bowel movmnts, gas.oval shaped stool no blood.aches radiate between lower/upper left abd.  can also be felt on left side. dull but annoying.  started week ago.colon cancer makes me nervous read there is a huge increase my age. very stressed?

Accepted Answer

What huge increase?: Haven't heard of any huge increase in colon cancer in people in their early to mid-20's. Probably 0.5-1.0% of all the colon cancers in the country are in people aged 20-25 years. Overall, psychological stress surely causes much more health damage than those rare colon cancer cases added together. Do keep exercising, get 3 servings of dairy and eat less than 3 oz red meat a day, never smoke, etc...

Question 5

is foul smelling stool from colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: There are many causes of foul smelling stool, e.g., fat malabsorption, c. Difficile infection, certain foods that bring undigested material to colon, e.g. Bean; overeating in general.  Vast majority of the time this symptoms is not related to colon cancer.

Question 6

can green stool be a sign of colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not specifically: Bowel movement color is not a factor to watch for colon cancer unless you see blood. See a doctor for an examination.

Question 7

do narrow stools always indicate colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

No: More commonly due to spasm in lower colon.  However, sudden change in stool caliber, "pencil thin" stools, cramps, bleeding, nausea, weight loss need evaluation. Ongoing symptoms need evaluation. At the least, this should involve a doctor visit, perhaps other tests.

Question 8

how can we find colon cancer through stool test?

Accepted Answer

Colon cancer: Good wikipedia question. Look for blood when you poo. Test poo for blood and can test for cancer cells in stool with DNA testing.

Question 9

black and red dots in stool. could it be colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor: Without seeing what you are describing it is very hard to know what you have. Diet is the most common cause for the color of bowel movements. Any changes in the bowel function or bowel habits should be evaluated by your doctor.

Question 10

colon cancer. do you always have to have blood seen in your stools?

Accepted Answer

Not always: Rectal bleeding can happen in almost 40-50% cases. Other symptoms that can happen include abdominal pain , change in bowel habits, weakness , anemia without other gastrointestinal symptoms, weight loss. Sometimes, colon cancer also can happen without having any significant symptoms-but is found during colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is very important screening test. Do not wait until you see bleeding.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Colon cancer stool shape

A member asked:

My dad ( 50 years old) has had changes in his stool shape. what are the chances of changes in stool shape being colon cancer?

A member asked:

I have been having flat/thin stools, for about 2 weeks. i am a 35 year old female, no history of colon cancer in my family. no blood, no pain, normal colored stool, just the shape has changed. sometimes it's a normal bm, should i be concerned?

A member asked:

I had polyuria now chronic prostatitis and now my stool has a shape to it is it due to large prostate or maybe had colon cancer all along? im 26

A member asked:

Increased bowel movmnts, gas.oval shaped stool no blood.aches radiate between lower/upper left abd. can also be felt on left side. dull but annoying. started week ago.colon cancer makes me nervous read there is a huge increase my age. very stressed?

A member asked:

Is foul smelling stool from colon cancer?

A member asked:

Can green stool be a sign of colon cancer?

A member asked:

Do narrow stools always indicate colon cancer?

A member asked:

How can we find colon cancer through stool test?

A member asked:

Black and red dots in stool. could it be colon cancer?

A member asked:

Colon cancer. do you always have to have blood seen in your stools?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?