Nurse shares family story to promote colorectal cancer prevention

Conyers, Ga. (March 30, 2026) – This Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Piedmont Rockdale and Piedmont Newton celebrate lifelong Monticello resident Morgan Studdard, MSN, RN, the hospitals’ Clinical Informatics Specialist.

When Morgan was growing up, colorectal cancer was more than a statistic – it was part of her family’s story.

In August 1994, three years before Morgan was born, her mother, Phyllis, was diagnosed with colon cancer at just 31 years old. After months of subtle gastrointestinal symptoms that doctors initially attributed to irritable bowel syndrome, her condition worsened into severe vomiting and abdominal pain. She was admitted to Piedmont Rockdale, where a colonoscopy revealed a tumor causing an intestinal blockage. Phyllis underwent surgery and chemotherapy and was cancer free by the end of 1995.

More than a decade later, the importance of ongoing follow-up became clear. In 2009, Phyllis returned to Piedmont Rockdale for surgery to address an obstruction caused by scar tissue from her earlier cancer treatment. While Phyllis and her family were relieved that the cancer had not returned, the experience reinforced why continued monitoring matters.

Today, Phyllis remains diligent about prevention. She follows a five-year colonoscopy schedule and completes annual bloodwork, all of which have shown normal results. She continues to thrive, enjoying baking, shopping, spending time with her first grandchild, and living close to Morgan in Monticello.

Because of her family’s history of cancer, Morgan also took proactive steps early. She completed genetic testing through Piedmont to determine if she had any variants associated with cancer. She also had her first colonoscopy in her early 20s, following guidance to begin screening 10 years before the age at which her mother was diagnosed.

Morgan shares her family’s experience to underscore a simple message: prevention and early screening matter, even for people who feel healthy. “Early detection and routine screenings save lives,” she said. Morgan also encourages others to learn common signs of colorectal cancer and take symptoms seriously. And for anyone currently undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer, Morgan emphasizes that medical advances continue to expand what’s possible, and there is real reason for hope.

Talk to your doctor about screening options if you are over 45, have a family history of cancer, or are experiencing colorectal cancer symptoms, such as a change in bowel habits, bloody stool, or unintended weight loss. Visit Piedmont.org to find a doctor near you.