Former 'MTV' Host Ananda Lewis' Breast Cancer Has Spread After She Chose Natural Treatment Over a Mastectomy

Ananda Lewis/Instagram

Former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis announced that her breast cancer had spread to stage IV after she decided against having her tumor removed and instead went with a holistic healing approach. Ananda thought that her body could correct the tumor with natural remedies.

Ananda told Instagram followers that she received a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis in 2020. She also revealed that she refused to get annual mammograms out of fear of being exposed to radiation.

The former MTV personality explained during a recent CNN round table discussion she explained that she worked the cancer down to stage 2 with changes to her diet, sleep, and exercise habits. Lewis said, "My plan at first was to get out excessive toxins in my body. I felt like my body is intelligent, I know that to be true. Our bodies are brilliantly made," she said. Lewis continued, "I decided to keep my tumor and try to work it out of my body a different way," she said. "Looking back on that, I go, You know what? Maybe I should have."

According to The New York Times, Lewis confirmed she is taking pharmaceutical medication now, along with holistic treatments, and has received chemotherapy. The former MTV Live host said she's seeing an overall improvement in her health; Lewis told The New York Times, "I've turned it around really beautifully."

People with stage 4 breast cancer are typically in treatment for the rest of their lives. The Fred Hutch Cancer Center reports Between 20 and 30 percent of women with early stage breast cancer go on to develop metastatic disease. While treatable, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) cannot be cured. The five-year survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer is 22 percent; median survival is three years. Annually, the disease takes 40,000 lives.

Ananda had an outstanding career on the BET and MTV networks during the 90s. She interviewed Hillary Clinton when she was the First Lady of the United States, which earned her an NAACP award for her impactful work in journalism.

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