Checking the toilet after you go could help you spot signs of a silent killer disease. Certain changes to your poo could indicate bowel cancer.

While changes in the colour and texture of your stool are often harmless, usually due to dietary changes, they could also indicate something more serious. Hence, some experts recommend giving your stool a quick check before flushing. According to the NHS, blood in your poo, which may look red or black, could be a sign of bowel cancer. You should see your GP if this symptom persists for three weeks.

However, it's not just the colour that could signal a problem - the shape of your poo might also hint at a health issue. Thin, narrow stools could be a symptom of several conditions, including bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer.

According to the Bristol Stool Chart, healthy faeces should resemble a sausage in shape, either smooth or with cracks on the surface. While an occasional narrow stool could simply suggest constipation, it could also imply chronic digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, and even cancer. Narrow stools can look like a ribbon or a pencil.

In most instances, these can be a sign of constipation, which is characterised by fewer than three bowel movements a week or difficulty in passing stool. This could be attributed to lifestyle factors such as insufficient fibre intake, inadequate hydration, and lack of physical activity.

However, Fight Colorectal Cancer warns that narrow stools may indicate blockages such as tumours, caused by bowel cancer. The charity advises: "For the most part, narrow stools that occur infrequently are not a cause for concern. But if you experience ribbon-like stools for more than a week, seek medical attention."

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Medical experts at the Mayo Clinic in the US support this guidance. They said: "Narrow stools that happen now and then probably are harmless.

"But in some cases, narrow stools - especially if pencil thin - may be a sign that the colon is narrowing or has a blockage. And that could be due to colon cancer. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also may cause changes in the size of your stools."

Bowel cancer is sometimes termed a "silent killer" as it doesn't always present with symptoms in its early stages. However, the disease can also trigger additional alterations to your bowel habits.

The NHSadvises watching for: "Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you."

It may also alter the frequency of toilet visits. The NHS advises dialling 111 or arranging an urgent consultation with a doctor if your stools are black or dark red, or if you have bloody diarrhoea.

If there is continuous bleeding from your bottom, it's recommended to call 999 immediately. Other indications of bowel cancer include:

• Frequently feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet


• Abdominal pain


• A lump in your abdomen


• Bloating


• Unintentional weight loss


• Feeling extremely tired for no apparent reason

If you encounter any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult with a GP.