If you were anything like me, glued to MTV back in the day, then you already know who Ananda Lewis is. As a former VJ and host, she captured our hearts with her charisma and vibrant personality. It was a shock when, in 2020, Ananda announced she had been battling breast cancer for two years.
The news was especially jarring since the disease had progressed to a late stage. Doctors recommended a double mastectomy to reduce further risk. Determined to take a natural path, she chose to alter her diet and incorporate various therapies instead.
After fighting the natural way for four years, Lewis updated fans that her condition had worsened to stage 4. She stood by her decision, but in June 2025, Lewis sadly passed away after a seven-year fight. As we enter Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s reflect on some things we learned from Lewis over the years.
During her journey, she became a women’s health advocate, encouraging regular mammograms and mindful attention to what women consume and how they care for their bodies. She used her social media to share videos about her journey, detoxing methods, and wellness practices. She was motivational and encouraging. Her tone and confidence spoke volumes as she stood tall, refusing to surrender her energy to cancer.
She emphasized that while cancer is often considered incurable, there are steps we can take daily to prevent it as best as possible. In an issue of Essence, she discussed how prevention is the cure and that we should do our research. “I encourage people to look at the information and studies that exist. Seek them out, learn from them, and apply the changes to your life so that you can continue to thrive and live as long as you can.” She even pointed out that Black women should be more alert. “As Black women, we have all kinds of factors we’re not even aware of that contribute to cancer impinging upon us. Increase your knowledge about how to prevent getting here in the first place. Prevention is the real cure.”
It’s important to note that most insurance plans cover regular women’s wellness check-ups and mammograms. It’s our responsibility to use the resources available. Lewis often spoke about women opting for natural approaches due to fear of the unknown. ABC spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a breast oncologist at NYU Langone Hospital, who offered insight into why many take the unconventional route. Comen said, “Many patients who decline conventional treatments do so due to fear of side effects, distrust of the medical system, or a desire for control. They often choose natural remedies, believing these are safer or better for their health.”
One of the best things about Lewis was her refusal to stay silent and her determination to raise awareness. Her social media was full of photos documenting her treatments, from liquid IVs to CT scans. She documented her journey so it could be a learning opportunity for others. She was a motivational voice for women battling cancer or simply not well-educated on prevention. She was positive in her videos and vocal about the importance of not ignoring check-ups. She fought until the very end, and her story was impactful.
Ananda always remained transparent about her choices, even the potential consequences of avoiding standard cancer treatment. There’s no telling how many lives she saved by advocating for early detection. Lewis shed light on an important debate: How can patients get the support they need to make informed decisions based on what’s best for them? Also, how can medical specialists and doctors tackle the growing distrust and fear women face when presented with treatment options? And lastly, how can the healthcare system offer better, affordable options so women don’t avoid getting the exams and care they need simply because of a price tag?
Lewis has left many conversations on the table. As we approached 2025, she urged women to take action now rather than later. “Do everything in your power to avoid my story becoming yours. If I had known what I know now 10 years ago, perhaps I wouldn’t have ended up here. I would have been cold plunging, exercising consistently, making sure my vitamin D levels were good, detoxing my body on a monthly and yearly basis, and sleeping better.” Even though she is no longer with us, her impact inspires many women with the lessons she left behind.
