Former MTV VJ and TV host Ananda Lewis has opened up about her ongoing battle with breast cancer, revealing that her condition has now advanced to stage 4. During a candid interview with CNN’s Stephanie Elam and Sara Sidner, who is also battling breast cancer, Lewis shared her emotional journey of initially resisting conventional treatment, only to later come to terms with the gravity of her illness.
At 51 years old, Lewis reflected on her decision to refuse a double mastectomy after her diagnosis, a choice that has weighed heavily on her as her condition has worsened. “My plan at first was to remove excessive toxins from my body,” she explained. “I believed in the intelligence of my body, that it was brilliantly made and capable of healing itself. I decided to keep my tumor and try to work it out in a different way. Looking back, I sometimes think, ‘Maybe I should have done it differently.’”
For several years, Lewis pursued a range of holistic healing approaches, including what she described as “aggressive homeopathic therapies.” She also altered her diet and sleep habits in an effort to support her body’s natural healing. In conjunction with these methods, she did undergo some traditional cancer treatments, including medication and radiation, as reported by ESSENCE.
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While Lewis initially saw some progress, her condition has since taken a more serious turn. “My lymph system flared up throughout my abdomen, and my collarbone area was swollen,” she said, recalling the moment when she first had what she called “a conversation with death.” She admitted that facing the progression of her cancer brought moments of deep frustration and anger, but ultimately, she sought peace with her reality. “I was like, ‘Fudge, man, I really thought I had this.’ I was angry at myself but told death, ‘I know you’re coming for me at some point, but not now. And when you do, I promise we’ll make it fun.’”
In 2020, Lewis first revealed her diagnosis to the public and explained that doctors had recommended a mastectomy at the time. However, she opted for a path that resonated more with her personal values and beliefs. “I knew there were certain things I wasn’t going to be OK with,” she said. “I wanted to be here in a way that felt right for me, and I had to do it my way.”
Lewis also shared a critical lesson from her experience—one she hopes others will learn from. She had avoided mammograms for years due to concerns about radiation, a decision she now regrets. “If I had started mammograms when they were first recommended at 40, they would have caught the tumor years before I did through self-exams and thermography,” she said. “It would have been more manageable, and treatment would have been easier.”
Despite the progression of her cancer, Lewis remains determined to continue fighting, motivated by her 9-year-old son, Langston, whom she shares with Harry Smith, brother of actor Will Smith. “I have a son I need to be here for,” she said in a previous Instagram video. “I have no intention of leaving him or my other kids.”
As she continues her battle with breast cancer, Lewis’s story serves as both a sobering reminder of the importance of early detection and an inspiring testament to her resilience and love for her family.
