As that old children’s book states, “Everyone poops.” Whether your bathroom visits are a few times a day like clockwork or your body adheres to a more laid-back schedule, when nature calls and you finally go, you typically feel an immediate sense of relief. It’s akin to flushing your worries away.
But what if that relief doesn’t come? When you finish pooping but still sense something is left behind, your body might be signaling that something’s amiss. For those grappling with chronic constipation or diarrhea due to irritable bowel syndrome, that incomplete feeling may be somewhat known. For others, that persistent urge or absence of “emptiness” can sometimes indicate something more serious, such as colorectal cancer.
A tumor in the colon can physically obstruct stool passage, leading to the sensation of not being fully empty. You might also experience a constant urge to poop, bloating, cramping, or even persistent fatigue. Noticing blood in your stool is another warning sign. While these symptoms can coincide with other digestive issues, understanding your risk factors and any changes in the appearance of your stool is crucial.
Colorectal cancer risk factors and other signs from your poop
Individuals with a personal history of high-risk colorectal polyps, inflammatory bowel conditions like colitis or Crohn’s disease, or a family history of colorectal cancer have a heightened risk of developing colorectal cancer. Lifestyle habits play a role too. Factors such as obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can all elevate your risk (here’s how to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer). Given that the risk of colorectal cancer increases with age, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises starting routine screenings at age 45.
However, this doesn’t imply younger adults are exempt. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in individuals between 20 and 49 years old. Yale Medicine reports a growing number of Millennials and Gen-Zers visiting their offices and urges college students to be vigilant about warning signs of colorectal cancer.
Beyond the feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation, a sudden change in stool shape is another indicator to watch for. According to CommonSpirit Health, colorectal cancer can cause stools to become very thin, sometimes as narrow as a pencil. Unusually thin or paper-flat stools could indicate a blockage in the colon or rectum. It’s also important to monitor for mucus or other unusual substances in your stool. While blood in the stool can be a symptom of colorectal cancer, it’s not always present.
Other conditions that may be similar to colorectal cancer symptoms
Feeling incomplete after pooping doesn’t necessarily indicate colorectal cancer. It could also suggest constipation, which can be prompted by several factors, such as disrupted communication between your brain and intestines, changes in gut bacteria, or stress.
That feeling of not being fully empty might, in some cases, be related to pelvic floor dysfunction. The pelvic floor muscles need to relax during a bowel movement, and if they remain tense, it can hinder complete evacuation.
Blood in the stool isn’t always a sign of cancer either. It might result from hemorrhoids, which are swollen blood vessels in the rectum that can bleed during straining.
Even though discussing bowel issues with your doctor might feel awkward, early detection of colorectal cancer can significantly impact treatment outcomes. Screening often begins with a stool test to detect blood or altered DNA, some of which can be done at home. If something unusual is detected, the next step is typically a colonoscopy to identify and remove any polyps or cancerous growths in the colon.
