stool- a bit flat on one side-sometimes

[davejune2]

hi doctor
healthy, 46, no family history, super good high fiber low fat diet
I have become obsessed with checking stool for how round/cylindrical it is.
19 months ago started softer bms. two gastros dismissed soft stool as nothing serious.
what does flat stool on one side mean??  I am checking each stool on my knees with a pencil.
they are definitely not all cylindrical, some look a bit flat or compressed on bottom side, almost always the side where the stool makes contact with bottom of toilet bowl ( they always sink)
some of my stools are banana thick and cylindrical enough to actually roll down side of toilet bowl when prodded with pencil.
are the people on forums who mention they have flat stool on one side( concerned about uc or cancer!) actually on their knees prodding stool with a pencil or am I a really unusual nut neurotic?
How noticeable is flat on one side and to what degree is this a cause for concern? is the stool darn near semi circular, like a banana sliced right down the middle leaving one side literally flat??
I started to get neurotic after I flunked hemoccult over a year ago, I then passed several hemoccults after that one.
please help?? am I going way to far with inspections? how could 3 or 4 bms weekly be so cylindrical they can roll and yet others are not as cylindrical?
thank you doctor

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Thanks for your update. Yes, any mass occupying lesion  in the intestines can affect the stool shape and size. This also possible with hemorrhoids. To rule these out, have this checked by your gastroenterologist or have imaging studies done. This will also help ease any worries. Best regards.

[davejune2]

thank you dr santos
I feel great and don't really have any symptoms. I passed 3 multi-sample occult blood tests that walgreens gave out about 8 months ago ( no dietary restrictions with self administered test sheets), after I flunked the  one multi day hemmocult a few months before. I also passed a single sample immunochemical in gastros office
caliber is  still banana like many times. ever even close to flat like ribbons
I just wondered if a flat stool on one side would be evident from a standing position looking at stool in toilet or if people are literally discovering some flatness on hands and knees turning the stool with a pencil or the like.??
BIGGEST question:   If there was a mass in colon preventing the stool from passing out in a banana or cucumber shape, then wouldn't that mass affect every formed stool??? if I have some that are cylindrical enough to literally roll then how could a mass possibly be present? My logical, not fearful mind says its impossible. Every stool would be flattened by an ever-present mass, correct?
thank you

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? What other symptoms are present? I understand your concern about your stool size and shape especially with your occult blood test result in the past. The change in shape could also be due to hemorrhoids as well as other gastro issues that can be ruled out with evaluation by a specialist. If this persists and other symptoms occur, it is best that you check with your doctor for proper evaluation. Direct clinical examination and additional diagnostic tests may need to be done. Take care and do keep us posted.