10 Signs of Colon Cancer

8. Narrowing of Stool

In the past, doctors considered narrow stools a "classic" sign of colon cancer. However, there is no need to worry about them if you don't have other symptoms. What this sign means is that the caliber or diameter of the stool becomes smaller, resulting in bowel movements that have a stringy appearance. You may hear this referred to as "low-caliber" or "pencil-thin" stool. This is in contrast to the normal caliber of stool, which is about 1-2 inches in diameter. If you notice that your stool is narrower than normal, it could just be that the consistency is looser or you need more fiber in your diet.