Ananda Lewis, the former MTV VJ who rose to fame in the late 1990s, has disclosed that her breast cancer has advanced to stage four after she opted against a double mastectomy. The 51-year-old revealed her health status during a CNN conversation on October 15, where she spoke with Stephanie Elam and fellow breast cancer survivor Sara Sidner.
Initially, Lewis aimed to detoxify her body, believing in its natural intelligence. She expressed regret about her decision to not undergo surgery, stating, “Looking back on that, I go, ‘You know what? Maybe I should have.’” Over the past couple of years, she engaged in various holistic healing methods, including rigorous homeopathic therapies, dietary adjustments, and traditional treatments like medication and radiation.
Despite experiencing some health improvements, her cancer has now spread significantly. Lewis shared, “My lymph system really flared up… It was the first time I ever had a conversation with death because I felt like, ‘This is how it ends.’”
As a mother to her son Langston, born in 2011, Lewis feels a strong motivation to continue fighting her cancer. In a poignant moment, she recounted an internal dialogue where she expressed her frustration and determination to delay death, saying she wants to keep fighting for her child.
Lewis first revealed her cancer diagnosis in 2020 when doctors suggested a mastectomy, which she declined. She explained that her choice was driven by a desire to maintain her quality of life. In hindsight, she acknowledged that her decision to avoid mammograms, out of fear of radiation, was a mistake that likely contributed to her late diagnosis.
Reflecting on what could have been, she noted, “If I had done the mammograms from the time they were recommended… they would have caught the tumor in my breast years before I actually did.” Lewis remains resolute in her fight against cancer, emphasizing her commitment to being present for her son.