Piedmont Primary Care Physicians Play Crucial Role in Cancer Prevention

Cartersville, Ga. -- February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and Piedmont is reminding communities that one of the most effective ways to reduce cancer risk is also one of the simplest: maintaining regular visits with a primary care physician (PCP). Routine visits with a PCP can identify risk factors before symptoms appear, helping patients take proactive steps toward long-term well-being.

“Primary care is the foundation of cancer prevention,” said Kyle Taylor, M.D., a primary care physician at Piedmont Primary Care at Cartersville. “Regular checkups allow us to notice subtle changes, identify cancers earlier, and help patients reduce their risk through tailored screening and prevention plans.

PCPs help patients prevent cancer in several key ways:

• Screening and early detection: Primary care providers ensure that patients receive recommended screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and other cancers. Many of these screenings detect precancerous conditions or early-stage disease, when treatment is most effective.
• Risk factor assessment: PCPs evaluate genetic history, lifestyle behaviors and environmental exposures that may increase a patient’s cancer risk.
• Preventive counseling: Physicians provide guidance on nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, alcohol use and vaccination — including HPV and hepatitis B vaccines, both proven to prevent cancer.
• Coordinated care: When additional testing or specialist care is needed, primary care physicians streamline referrals and help patients navigate next steps.

For many patients, the most important factor is simply maintaining a consistent relationship with a trusted provider.

“Many people believe they only need to see a doctor when something feels wrong,” said Dr. Taylor. “But some of the most serious cancers don’t cause symptoms until they’re far advanced. Regular primary care visits are one of the best ways to catch issues early—and save lives.”

Piedmont recommends annual checkups for all patients, even those who feel healthy.

To learn more about cancer prevention and primary care services at Piedmont or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Taylor, visit piedmont.org. 

About Piedmont 
Piedmont is empowering Georgians by changing health care. We continue to fuel Georgia’s growth through safe, cost-effective, high-quality care close to home through an integrated health care system that provides a hassle-free, unified experience. We are a private, not-for-profit organization with more than 12,000 donors annually that for centuries has sought to make a positive difference in every life we touch in the communities we serve. Across our 2,171 physical locations we care for more than 4.5 million patients and serve communities that comprise 85 percent of Georgia’s population. This includes 26 hospitals, 112 immediate care locations, 1,875 Piedmont Clinic physician practices and more than 3,600 Piedmont Clinic members. Our patients conveniently engage with Piedmont online, as they scheduled more than 560,000 online appointments and over 120,000 virtual visits. With nearly 50,000 care givers we are the largest Georgia-based private employer of Georgians, who all came for the job, but stayed for the people. In 2024 and 2023, Piedmont has earned recognition from Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and also as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women. In 2022, Forbes ranked Piedmont on its list of the Best Large Employers in the United States. Piedmont provided more than $607 million in community impact in Fiscal Year 2024.
For more information, or booking your next appointment, visit piedmont.org.