Ananda Lewis knows how “crazy” she sounds when she holds a lump

Ananda Lewis knows persons are questioning her judgment after revealing she selected to maintain the lump after being diagnosed with stage III breast cancer – which has since spread to stage IV. The former MTV VJ just wants everyone to get the correct message from her story.

After a Breast Cancer Awareness Month roundtable with Stephanie Elam and CNN anchor Sara Sidner, during which Lewis, 51, shared that she refused to have the tumor surgically removed and as an alternative tried homeopathic methods, she was met with backlash opposition.

During an appearance in the ultimate episode of “Soulibration” on Blackdoctor.org admitted that if she heard the identical story, “I would think it was some crazy mess too.”

With a laugh, she added, “That just sounds crazy.”

Lewis explained that she was moved to Stage IV last October and was very sick on the time. Today, after much trial and error and a combination of conventional and integrative treatment methods, she is doing “fantastically.” Understands that when talking about cancer, words like “stage IV” or “cancer spreading” can sound scary.

However, she said, “Many words, even though we really attach to them, have no meaning.”

She explained that every stage has its nuances and emphasized that cancer can affect people in other ways. With that in mind, she noted, “We need to be more open to people making choices that benefit them and not getting in the way of them.”

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Online critics weren’t the one ones who expressed concerns about Lewis’ decision.

“I made choices that I knew people didn’t agree with – the people closest to me didn’t agree with them when I made them,” she said.

She continued: “It could have been a mistake on my part to not have the surgery. I do not know. I even have no intention of going back. I’m pleased where I’m now, so whatever the mistakes I’ve made, I’m in a excellent place.

“We all have to make our own choices,” she said, adding: “I live with the consequences of my decisions.”

Despite the backlash she’s received since her original comments caused a web-based storm, Lewis is “grateful” in the meanwhile.

“I’m grateful that this started some really needed and difficult conversations that a lot of people don’t want to have,” the previous BET “Teen Summit” host continued. “I’m here for this.”

Some of those difficult conversations include admitting the primary mistake she herself made.

“My biggest mistake is the one I’ve been talking about from the beginning: not getting a mammogram,” she explained.

While she continues to be hesitant about mammography attributable to its ineffectiveness in detecting her mother’s breast cancer, Lewis admitted that she could have used other early detection methods, including 3D ultrasound. She also said that if she had done much of what she does now to remain healthy ten years ago, she may not be here.

“And that’s what I want people to take away from this situation,” she continued. “Really, how do you protect yourself from this?”