Former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis recently revealed that her breast cancer has progressed to stage IV, after initially declining a double mastectomy following her diagnosis. In a candid roundtable discussion with CNN’s Stephanie Elam and Sara Sidner, Lewis opened up about her journey and the choices that have impacted her health.
Lewis, 51, first shared her diagnosis of stage III breast cancer in 2020. At that time, she refused to undergo regular mammograms due to concerns about radiation exposure. By the time she discovered a lump, her cancer had already advanced. Despite her doctors’ recommendation for a double mastectomy, Lewis chose a different route.
“I felt like my body is intelligent, I know that to be true. Our bodies are brilliantly made,” Lewis explained. She pursued a combination of homeopathic remedies, medication, radiation, and lifestyle changes. “I decided to keep my tumor and try to work it out of my body a different way,” she said.
Reflections on Ananda Lewis’ Decision
Although Lewis experienced some improvement initially, her cancer later metastasized. She acknowledged that she now questions her original decision. “Looking back on that, I go, ‘You know what? Maybe I should have,’” she reflected during the discussion.
Last year, her lymphatic system became severely inflamed, signaling that her cancer had spread. “It was the first time I ever had a conversation with death,” she shared. “I was frustrated, I was a little angry at myself. I said, ‘Man, listen. I know you’re coming for me at some point. But I don’t want it to be now.’”
During this challenging period, Lewis found herself bedridden for eight weeks. Despite these struggles, she remains hopeful and continues to emphasize the importance of living fully.
Lewis’s experience serves as a reminder to others, particularly women, about the importance of regular mammograms. “If I had done the mammograms from the time they were recommended… they would have caught the tumor earlier,” she said. Her story has inspired many to take action in their own health journeys.