Mississippi Women Plan to Survive Breast Cancer
One in five women with breast cancer will die from it.
What is a woman to do when one in eight is diagnosed with breast cancer? Mississippi Public Broadcasting presents the stories of two Mississippi women and their personal fight to survive breast cancer in the Southern Remedy documentary special, “A Plan to Survive.”
“Merry Lunsford and Katrina Myricks shed light on the process of being diagnosed and going through the myriad of decisions a woman and her family make to fight and survive the disease,” said Kathryn Rodenmeyer, MPB executive producer.
“I’m just finding out that I have breast cancer, but I plan on surviving,” said Merry Lunsford.
At age 45, Lunsford is a hairdresser with a knack for making women look and feel beautiful. Self-employed and a single mom, she provides for her four daughters. But a little knot in Lunford’s breast led to major changes to her life, her girls and her business.
Katrina Myricks, a three-year breast cancer survivor, had a lump detected during a routine mammogram at age 47. In the documentary, Myricks tells her story and offers encouragement.
“Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a bad thing,” said Myricks. “But going through the process of never being detected can be even worse.” She is now an advocate for women going through breast cancer.
“If you don’t do self-exams, do self-exams,’ added Myricks. “If you don’t go in for routine mammograms, you’ll never know what’s wrong on the inside… if you are not taking care of yourself.”
“I hope these personal stories and the information from our expert doctors will help women make better informed decisions about screenings and treatments for breast cancer,” added Rodenmeyer.
Watch the show online at www.mpbonline.org/aplantosurvive.
The MPB TV documentary explores the recently revised screening recommendations for breast cancer and features physicians offering opinions on best practices for detecting breast cancer. Oncologist Dr. Barbara Craft and radiologist Dr. Harpreet Talwar, both with the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Cancer Institute, join Dr. Rick deShazo to discuss breast cancer. A professor of medicine at UMMC, Dr. deShazo is the host of “Southern Remedy” on MPB Think Radio airing every Wednesday at 11 a.m.
“Southern Remedy” is MPB’s flagship wellness program dedicated to keeping Mississippians healthy.
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Mississippi Public Broadcasting provides relevant instructional and public affairs programming to Mississippians through its statewide television and radio network. MPB enhances the work of educators, students, parents and learners of all ages by providing informative programming and educational resources. MPB’s locally-produced programming focuses on the people, resources and attractions that reflect Mississippi’s unique culture and diverse heritage. Children’s television programs constitute a major portion of the daytime and weekend morning schedules. MPB provides a valuable resource to Mississippians in disseminating information as part of the state’s emergency preparedness and response system. Since 1970, MPB has won over 350 national, regional and statewide awards, including Emmy®, Edward R. Murrow and Parents’ Choice® Awards.
“A Plan to Survive” is available through NETA
