Narrow stools are pencil-thin (stringy) and can be flat instead of rounded. They may be loose or more challenging to pass, requiring you to strain or bear down more than usual.

Narrow stool could be a sign of another, rare kind of cancer: anal cancer. It’s a cancer that starts in your anus, or the outer part of your rectum where poop comes out.

Narrow stool may also be a sign of diverticular disease or anal stenosis. A healthcare provider can determine what is causing your stool to be narrow and provide proper treatment, if necessary.

Narrow stool can be a red flag. Doctors will sometimes see patients whose “stools are much thinner, or they’re pencil in thickness and size, which is a description that some patients with ...

While experts say occasional narrow stools aren’t necessarily cause for concern, consistent changes in stool shape — especially if they’re flat or ribbon-like — can be a sign of narrowing ...

Other colorectal cancer signs and symptoms include persistent changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, narrow stools, or still feeling that you need to have a bowel movement ...

Dr. Waqqas Tai said pencil-thin stools, rectal bleeding, anemia (particularly men), severe constipation or diarrhea and/or unexplained weight loss, fevers and night sweats may indicate colon cancer.

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer. The first sign to look for is abnormal bleeding. Knowing if there is blood in your stool can be somewhat tricky, as blood can vary in appearance — from bright ...