By Chanda Temple
“Pat, pat, pat.”
That’s the sound of ground turkey as Mellanie Frazier shapes it into hand-sized burgers.
Filled with fresh pico de Gallo and seasonings, it’s a familiar scene in her kitchen, where she’s made more healthful meals for her husband, three sons and herself since being diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2015.
“In the past, I’ve used purple onions, regular onions, bell peppers, Zesty Italian dressing and a little salt and pepper,” says Mellanie, 48. “Everybody seemed to like them.”
Since researchers have said that diet can play a role in breast cancer risks, Mellanie pulled back from red meat and bread during her cancer treatments of chemo and radiation. In their place came more fruits, vegetables and intention.
Then, in 2024, Mellanie discovered the Golden Temple Cafe on Birmingham’s Southside. The chickpea soup was one of her favorites. “You know how healthy food can taste so bland?” she says. “That wasn’t the case here. … it had flavor.”
In the years that followed, Mellanie learned that healing doesn’t always come in one form. Sometimes, it’s a bowl of soup that brings comfort. Other times, it’s the courage to face what comes next.
In 2019, doctors found a a non-cancerous tumor in Mellanie’s brain. It was removed via surgery. In 2021, it returned. Mellanie had the option to go through another surgery or do radiation. She selected radiation to shrink the tumor. Now, she goes to Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham each year to have it scanned.
In 2023, she started a new women’s ministry, Ruth’s Ministry, at her church, Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church, Thomas, to give women a space to excel. Also in 2023, she released her first book called, “Faces,” which looks at the many faces a woman must put forward in dealing with different situations. The first chapter is about breast cancer.
By March 2026, she hopes to finish writing her second book, “Face to Face.”
In August 2025, she marked 10 years of being cancer-free. To celebrate, she joined her classmates from Birmingham’s A. H. Parker High School in the Bahamas for their 30th high school reunion.
This month, she’s committed to getting out in her neighborhood and walking more. Her goal is walk four to five days a week.
And since Mellanie tested positive for the BRCA 1 gene, which is a gene associated with an increased risk of several cancers including breast cancer, and, particularly, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), she’s encouraging her sons, ages 24, 16 and 11, to do self-breast exams. For women, she’s been stressing the importance of self-care.
“Breast cancer taught me that women don’t share enough,” she says. “We take care of everybody, … and forget about ourselves. God’s still reminding me to take care of me.”
***Mellanie Frazier’s recipe for her turkey burgers.***
Two pounds ground turkey
White onions (diced)
Green bell pepper (diced)
Liquid Kraft brand Zesty Italian dressing (3/4 cup)
1 egg (beaten)
Garlic powder
Black pepper
Salt (2 pinches)
Progresso brand bread crumbs 2 tablespoons (They help to bind the meat mixture)
Mix well. Make patties. Bake 30 minutes at 400 degrees.
NOTE: In America, one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I will be profiling one female breast cancer survivor each day in October 2025. The stories will also highlight a food from a Birmingham, AL restaurant or food vendor they liked at some point during their breast cancer journey or today. The series is called “SurviveHer at the Table: Food. Faith. Fight.”
Each story posted this month is the opinion of the survivor, with a goal to increase awareness about early detection and treatment for breast cancer. Readers should consult with their physician for medical and health advice and their nutritionist for healthy eating tips. Links to area resources will be shared in future posts this month.
Chanda Temple is an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, Ala. She blogs at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. If you have a food story idea, email her at chandatemple@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @chandatemple.
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