As a flight medic for Novant Health, Morgan Burns spends her days caring for patients in crisis.
Earlier this year, however, she was facing a life-changing diagnosis of her own: breast cancer.
She first
noticed her symptoms in December 2025. Burns experienced what she described as a “full feeling” in her right breast. Initially, she thought it was a cyst, but when she noticed that her nipple began pulling inward, she decided to get it checked out.
After an examination, her doctor thought it was an area of inflammation but recommended a mammogram to be sure. Burns, who is 39 and has no family history of breast cancer, hadn’t yet had one because the recommended age for women to start yearly breast cancer screening is 40.
Burns could not get in for her mammogram until February, and it revealed a mass and warranted further testing. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis: breast cancer.
At that point, Burns was “scared to death.”
“All I could think about was my three girls and them growing up without a mom,” Burns said.
Burns met with her care team at Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Institute to formulate a plan. Her treatment would include a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy.
Her treatment began this spring with the removal of her right breast and 32 axillary lymph nodes. Testing revealed that 20 of them were positive for cancer. As a result, Burns was determined to be at stage 3C.
While many undergoing cancer treatment deal with nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms, Burns said she hasn’t experienced that. Burns adopted several lifestyle changes after her diagnosis, including adjustments to her diet, have helped her cope with treatment.
After much research, she began incorporating turmeric, ginger, blueberries, microgreens and flaxseed into her daily diet.
“Usually, I toss all of that stuff into a smoothie,” Burns said.
She believes that and prayer have made a difference in her quality of life during this time.
Burns will soon finish chemotherapy, and soon after, she will begin 16 to 20 rounds of radiation.
Though she is months away from finishing her treatment, Burns is already thinking about how she can help others. In addition to joining a cancer support group, she’s working with staff at Novant to help start a support group for those who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Burns believes connecting newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer survivors can help alleviate some of their fears and anxiety.
As Burns thinks about her breast cancer journey, she does have some advice for other women when it comes to healthcare.
“Be your own advocate,” Burns said. “I am not a pushy person; I am not a confrontational person, and I probably should have pushed a little more to get in for a mammogram sooner, but I didn’t want to ruffle feathers.”
Renee Spencer is the community engagement editor at the StarNews. Reach her at rspencer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Novant flight medic's breast cancer at 39 prompts warning to others
