Is Bowel Leakage A Sign Of Cancer? Bowel Leakage Causes & Treatments In 2024

If you have been struggling with fecal incontinence, you may ask: “Is bowel leakage a sign of cancer?” Accidental leakage can be surprising and concerning, not to mention embarrassing. Many people who struggle to control bowel movements are ashamed to seek help. Still, your doctor needs to know if you are experiencing bowel leakage or any changes in your bowel habits, which may indicate a risk of colorectal cancer. 

A lot is already known about the symptoms and causes of bowel leakage; however, researchers are still actively studying the best ways to treat bowel leakage. In fecal incontinence, the effects of gut health, the usefulness of probiotics as treatment, and barriers to seeking care are currently popular research topics.

The Connection Between Bowel Leakage & Cancer

If you recently experienced bowel leakage, you may be worrying, “Is the loss of bowel control a sign of rectal cancer or other cancers?” or, “Do I need to see a colon and rectal surgeon for rectal surgery?”

Yes, bowel leakage is related to gastrointestinal cancers like colon and rectal cancers and lymphoma. However, while fecal incontinence could be a cancer symptom, it can also be caused by many other things. It’s best to report any changes so you can rule out dangerous things for your peace of mind. 

The risk of your having cancer if you have fecal incontinence, is not zero, but it is low.^[1] Of the anal cancer symptoms, bleeding from the rectum is the most worrisome. Thus, urgency, frequent need to have a bowel movement, inability to do so, and mucus drainage from the rectum are less indicative signs. 

Anastomotic leakage,^[2] in which there is a separation of parts of the colon that has been put back together surgically, is quite different. This only occurs after colon surgery, usually to remove cancerous growths or obstructions. As such, a concern may be related to cancer; it requires hospitalization. 

What Is Bowel Leakage?

Normally, the internal and external anal sphincters’ anatomy^[3] and function prevent accidents. The internal sphincter is under autonomic control. The external sphincter is a voluntary muscle. Bowel leakage, also called bowel incontinence or fecal incontinence, is unexpected and unintended leakage of stool. 

It occurs when the anal sphincters are not working properly. Bowel leakage can occur with liquid stool or solid stool. The inability to keep the stool from being released unintentionally is the defining characteristic of bowel leakage, not the consistency of the stool itself. This highlights the importance of the integrity of the sphincters.

To be diagnosed^[4] with fecal incontinence, you must have leakage two times or more in four weeks. The criteria became more stringent in 2016 because some doctors and researchers disagreed^[5] with the original criteria. It is apparent that patients with less frequent fecal incontinence also report lower quality of life.

Bowel Leakage Symptoms 

Fecal incompetence is often considered a symptom^[6] of another issue rather than a disorder — or official diagnosis. Bowel leakage leads to^[7] a lower quality of life, psychological distress, and reduced productivity. 

Patients may be concerned about leaving the house out of fear of experiencing incontinence in public. Since fecal incontinence irritates the skin, patients can experience rashes or other discomfort due to fecal incontinence. Additionally, the cost of incontinence supplies can be burdensome. This is why discussing your symptoms with your doctor is so important.

What Are The Causes Of Bowel Leakage?

Researchers often describe risk factors for bowel leakage rather than causes. This is because it is nearly impossible to determine the exact cause of any symptom. Instead, researchers study what traits are often associated with, or which may put you at risk for, bowel leakage.

Researchers categorize potential causes of bowel leakage into four categories: physical abnormalities, functional disorders, neurological disorders, and congenital disorders. 

Physical Abnormalities

Some physical abnormalities that could lead to bowel leakage include^[6] having completed a vaginal delivery, having undergone surgery, having the presence of rectal prolapse, or having trauma to the area.

Doctors^[8] and researchers^[9] often suspect that women are more likely to experience fecal incontinence because of factors related to childbearing. However, this is not necessarily supported by research.

Functional Disorders

Functional disorders that could lead to bowel leakage include^[6] chronic diarrhea, irritable bowel disease, tumors from rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, malabsorption, fecal impaction, physical disabilities, and psychiatric disorders.

Just over 43%^[10] of US patients with IBS reported experiencing fecal incontinence, and almost 20% reported frequent incontinence. Participants over 40 were more likely to report experiencing fecal incontinence. Additional risk factors for fecal incontinence in US patients with IBS included urgency and loose, frequent stools.

Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders that could lead to bowel leakage include^[6] pudendal neuropathy, spinal surgery, multiple sclerosis, dementia, central nervous system disorders, and spina bifida.

Congenital Disorders

Congenital disorders that could lead to bowel leakage include^[6] cloacal defects^[11] and neurological dysfunction caused by the anatomical distortion of spina bifida.^[12] Another congenital problem is an imperforate, or closed, anus which has the opposite problem – nothing can pass.

What Should You Do If Your Bowel Is Leaking?

Consult Your Doctor

If your bowel is leaking, you should make an appointment to discuss the issue with your doctor. Many people are embarrassed to bring up this issue with the doctor, but the truth is your doctor wants to know as part of providing adequate care for you. 

Researchers note that although 75%^[8] of primary care doctors screen for urinary incontinence, only 35% screen for fecal incontinence. Since primary care doctors screen for fecal incontinence less frequently, you may need to initiate this conversation with your doctor.

By reading this article, you have already taken the first step in seeking medical care: learning about the condition! A lack of knowledge about bowel incontinence is one of the main reasons women do not seek treatment. Women also report that they don’t report their symptoms to their doctor because they think bowel leakage is a normal part of aging. 

Interestingly, although there were no differences in the amount of stool leakage between men and women, men^[9] were more likely to report fecal incontinence sooner. This could be because they are more comfortable talking about it.

Improve Your Gut Health

One thing you can do if your bowel is leaking is try to heal your gut. You can try incorporating more gut-healing foods into your diet or ask your doctor about a colon cleanse. Eating probiotic foods, foods low in fermentable carbohydrates, and superfoods could also help you improve your gut health. 

Researchers are studying the effects of gut health on fecal incontinence. Specifically, studies show that altering your diet and including probiotics in your diet may reduce symptoms^[13] of irritable bowel syndrome that result in fecal incontinence. And diets low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, or the FODMAP diet may also help.

Taking digestive enzymes may also help prevent bowel leakage if it is a symptom of another disorder. For example, digestive enzyme supplementation may help relieve^[14] gastrointestinal disorders such as food intolerances or inflammatory bowel disease symptoms. 

The Bottom Line

If you’ve been wondering, “Is bowel incontinence a sign of cancer?” then you have your answer! While bowel incontinence can be a sign of cancer, it is more likely a sign of something else, like a physical abnormality, functional gastrointestinal disorder, or neurological disorder. While these aren’t deadly, your quality of life is very important.

If you are experiencing bowel incontinence or any significant change in your normal bowel movements, you should make an appointment with a healthcare provider. Although it can be uncomfortable, the only way to begin getting relief is to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

Improving your digestive health by evaluating your diet may also be a good thing to try.

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