Thin stool? Colon cancer, IBS or something else?

[Lb_1515]

I’m a 24 year old female. I don’t have the best diet but I’ve always had regular stool up until the last year. I have diarrhea or loose stool every time I go. Not only that but it’s quite narrow about the diameter of the nickel. I also noticed I go way more frequently, 3-5 times a day. There is no bleeding that I can tell. I have had hemorrhoids before and get them every once in a while still. I’m not sure if this could be IBS or internal hemorrhoids or what. I’ve read that it’s a sign of colon cancer and I’m freaking out. I’ll call the GP on Monday to see if I can get in with a doctor but until then any idea on what is going on?

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Hi Lb_1515,

Thank you for posting and I'm sorry to read about what you are experiencing.

Did you see a specialist in the past for the hemorrhoids or was it a primary care doctor?

While for insurance purposes you may need to start with a primary care doctor, depending on what tests they run and the results, you may want to follow up with a specialist.

The change in bowel habits can be concerning and there are a number of reasons why your bowel habits have changed. The doctor will need to run some tests, most likely a FIT test to look for blood in the stool or a stool DNA test to look for abnormalities in the DNA in the feces. I would also guess that based on hemorrhoids in the past, that you'd likely have a physical exam.

Please do call the doctor tomorrow and let us know what they say. I recommend writing down your questions ahead of time so you don't forget anything you want to ask. Also a good idea to share any medications that you are on as well as any pattern you've seen (eating certain foods, activities, stress, etc. and how they impact your bowels).

Hoping for the best,

~Nicole @ GCCA

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Were you able to get in touch with your doctor today?

[Journey8710]

Hi there, lb, did you ever get a diagnosis?