“Several medical conditions can cause tenesmus. “These include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer, and disorders that affect how muscles move food through the gut. “It can be painful, especially if there is cramping or other digestive symptoms. The symptoms can come and go, or they may persist long term. “Vesical tenesmus is a separate condition that relates to the urinary bladder. "A person will feel as if they are unable to empty the bladder, even when there is no urine present.” Bowel cancer: Tenesmus is a sign of the condition (Image: Getty Images) In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, tenesmus as a sign for bowel cancer was further investigated.