Former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis’s breast cancer spread after decision to ‘keep’ the tumor: ‘I thought I had it’

When former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis was first diagnosed with stage III breast cancer, she refused to allow her doctor to perform a double mastectomy. Believing she had the knowledge on her side how to holistically remove toxins, she took matters into her own hands.

Now the 51-year-old TV personality is sharing that her cancer, first detected in 2020, has spread and reached stage IV.

While round table discussion with Stephanie Elam with Stephanie Elam and CNN anchor Sara Sidner, who was also diagnosed with stage III breast cancer, Lewis explained her health journey and why she decided to keep the lump after it was first detected.

“At first, my plan was to remove excess toxins from the body. I felt that my body was intelligent, I knew it was true. Our bodies are perfectly built,” she said.

“I decided to keep the tumor and try to get it out of my body in a different way,” she continued. “Looking back, I say, ‘You know what? Maybe I must have done it.

In addition to medications and radiation therapy, in addition to improving her sleep and weight-reduction plan, the MTV alumna went the homeopathic route. Things improved for some time until last 12 months, when Lewis discovered her cancer had spread.

“That was the first time I talked to death because I felt like that was what it was like,” Lewis said, adding, “I thought, ‘King, I really thought I had it.’ I was frustrated, a little angry with myself, and I said, “Man, listen.” I know you may come for me sooner or later. But I don’t desire it to be now. And should you could just wait, I promise that once you come, I’ll make it a number of fun for you.’”

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Lewis (married to Will Smith’s younger brother Harry Smith and mother to their son Langston, 13) noted that she had spoken to death after being bedridden for nearly eight weeks.

Empathizing with the desire to live once you feel physically on the brink of death, Sidner shared how she began looking for more joy after her diagnosis.

“The quality of my life was very important to me… I want to be here. So I had to do it a certain way, for me,” she explained.

This honest discussion about breast cancer comes during Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a time when cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in younger ladies. Although black women like Lewis and Sidner may not get breast cancer as often as their white counterparts, black women are still the most definitely to die from any cancer.

Most can understand Lewis’ intentions to take control of his health on his own terms. However, early detection combined with the right treatment plan at the starting dramatically increases survival after diagnosis.

“If thanks to this conversation we can convince at least one woman to have a mammogram, it will be a success,” Elam wrote in the caption of her post on the website. Instagram about the Round Table talks. “I want everyone to live long and healthy lives.”