As Colon Cancer Awareness Month begins, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital is calling attention to the rising rates of colorectal cancer, particularly among younger adults, and encouraging community members to take proactive steps toward screening and early detection.
“Colon cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when it’s found early, yet we’re seeing a concerning increase in cases among adults under 50,” says Amber Kitzman, a certified physician assistant with Aspirus Health. “It is now the leading cause of cancer‑related death in people under 50. Awareness and early screening are more important than ever.”
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer cases among adults younger than 55 increased from 11 percent (1 in 10) in 1995 to 20 percent (1 in 5) in 2019. A recent study was done showing that colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women.
“Colon cancer awareness is so important right now as we are seeing increasing rates of colon cancer, especially in younger individuals,” said Renee Schessler, PA-C, at Aspirus Wisconsin Rapids Hospital. Schessler emphasizes the urgency of this message, noting that colorectal cancer trends have shifted dramatically in recent years.
Schessler explained that one of the most persistent misconceptions is that colon cancer is a disease that only affects older adults. “This is not necessarily true anymore,” she said. “Colon and rectal cancer are now the leading cause of cancer death for men under 50 and the second for women under 50.” She added that many people also assume colon cancer always presents severe symptoms, when in fact it can be subtle and easily overlooked. “Colon cancer can be very insidious and may not have significant symptoms, which is why screening is so important.”
Kitzman encourages individuals to pay attention to changes in their digestive health and to speak with a health care provider if they notice persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, ongoing abdominal pain, or iron‑deficiency anemia. She adds that risk factors such as being over age 45, having a family history of colon cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, smoking, obesity, low physical activity, and diets high in processed foods or red meats can increase a person’s likelihood of developing colorectal cancer. She emphasizes that if something does not feel right, it is worth getting checked.
Aspirus Health offers a full range of colorectal cancer screening options, including screening colonoscopies and noninvasive stool‑based tests for appropriate patients. Primary care providers and gastroenterology specialists help patients determine which screening method is best for them and guide them through the process from start to finish.
“I’ve cared for patients who felt completely healthy and only agreed to screening because they were due,” Kitzman says. “Some had precancerous polyps or early‑stage cancers that we were able to treat before they became life‑threatening. Those experiences reinforce why screening matters and why these conversations shouldn’t be put off.”
Aspirus Health encourages residents to use Colon Cancer Awareness Month as a reminder to schedule screenings, learn their family history, and talk with loved ones about the importance of early detection. Screening beginning at age 45 remains one of the most effective tools for reducing deaths from colorectal cancer.
For more information about gastroenterology or Aspirus Health, visit aspirus.org/digestive-care-gi.