Aspirus Urges Iron County Residents to Screen for Colorectal Cancer

One in five colorectal cancer diagnoses in the United States now occurs in someone under 55, and Aspirus Iron River Hospital is urging residents of Iron County to treat that number as a personal warning, not a national abstraction.

Amy Nielsen, DO, general surgeon at Aspirus Health, put the shift plainly: "Colon cancer awareness is so important right now as we are seeing increasing rates of colon cancer, especially in younger individuals."

The scale of the problem in 2026 is significant. The American Cancer Society projects roughly 158,850 new colorectal cancer cases will be diagnosed nationally this year, with incidence climbing by 3 percent annually among adults aged 20 to 49. The disease is now the second leading cause of cancer-related death among both men and women in the country. Aspirus notes that more than half of all colorectal cancer deaths are preventable through regular screening.

Current guidelines set the starting age for average-risk adults at 45. Aspirus offers screening colonoscopies and a full range of gastrointestinal services at its Iron River clinic, part of a Michigan regional network that includes locations in Keweenaw and Ironwood. Nielsen's message for anyone who has deferred an appointment is unambiguous: "Screening colonoscopies can truly save lives. Detecting issues early makes all the difference."

In a rural county where reaching a regional specialist can require a substantial round trip, the local availability of GI services at Aspirus Iron River Hospital, 1400 W. Ice Lake Road, removes a real barrier. Residents who do not have a primary care provider can contact Aspirus patient-navigation services directly to arrange a screening referral rather than waiting to establish care first.

Symptoms that should prompt a call without delay include rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, and changes in bowel habits. Anyone with a family history of colorectal cancer should ask their provider about starting screening earlier than 45 and about genetic counseling options. Information on screening and appointment scheduling is available at Aspirus.org.