Pencil-Thin Stool: An Unexpected Clue About Colorectal Cancer

As colorectal cancer rates rise among younger people, doctors say pencil-thin stools can be a red flag, especially if new or persistent, often alongside blood in stool, abdominal pain or weight loss; early detection through screening like colonoscopy is crucial, with most people starting at age 45 unless risk factors (family history, inflammatory bowel disease, previous pelvic radiation, or genetic syndromes) warrant earlier testing.