Should I be worried?

[Zach802]

OK, tonight I pooped out a stool that was completely flat on one side. I have never had anything like this before and have no other symptoms of colon cancer besides my stools occasionally being narrower than normal. Should I be worried at this point?

[Morecambe]

Medical books suggest that you should seek advice if your stools change in shape.  By how much/to what degree/for how long is not stated!!

You don't state your age but from the age of ~40 upwards you are more prone to develop the more sinister G.I. diseases.

A colonoscopy is probably the test that can provide maximum reassurance.  My tendency would always be to seek this test since one of my relatives (aged ~70) ignored initial symptons and eventually succumbed to colon cancer so my motto would be "always err on the side of caution".

Good luck
Morecambe

[Zach802]

I am 20 years old, thinly built (5'8 and 110lbs), and get lots of activity (I'm a long distance runner). I also have no family history of cancer or colon polyps.

[Zach802]

Anyone? I am quite worried about this.

[JoshNY]

You mentioned that your stools occasionally change shape.  If there were something there, like a tumor, they would most likely constantly be narrow or flat.  Go to the doctor just for reassurance, but at your age and without any other alarm symptoms (weight loss, fatigue, etc.), I would say you're fine.