Former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis dies after breast cancer battle; Why early screening, mammogram matters
Former MTV VJ and talk show host Ananda Lewis has passed away at the age of 52 following a nearly five-year battle with breast cancer. The former MTV VJ's sister, Lakshmi, announced news of her death in a Facebook post shared on Wednesday, June 11.
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"She's free, and in His heavenly arms," she wrote, alongside a series of broken heart emojis and a black and white portrait of Lewis. "Lord, rest her soul."
Ananda Lewis's journey with breast cancer
Lewis became well known in 1997 when she was hired to be one of MTV's VJs, hosting shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. In 1999, The New York Times dubbed her 'the hip-hop generation's reigning It Girl.' She left MTV in 2001 to host her own talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show.
In 2020, she publicly disclosed her diagnosis of stage III breast cancer, revealing that she had avoided regular mammograms due to fears of radiation exposure. At that time, she urged her followers to prioritize their health and get screened, emphasizing that early detection saves lives.
Despite her advocacy, Lewis chose to pursue alternative treatments and declined a medically recommended double mastectomy.
She believed in her body's ability to heal naturally and initially experienced improvements.
However, by 2024, her cancer had progressed to stage IV, having metastasized to multiple areas of her body. Lewis expressed regret over her decision to forgo conventional treatment, acknowledging that her initial choices may have contributed to the cancer's spread.
Lewis' death serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of early detection and regular screenings in the fight against breast cancer.
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The importance of early detection
Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States of America. In the USA, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, and the second leading cause of cancer death.
In 2025, according to the American Cancer Society, it's estimated that approximately 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the US, with about 42,170 deaths.
About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime, and 1 in 43 will die from it. The 5-year relative survival rate for all breast cancer patients is 91%, and for localized breast cancer, it's 99%.
Early detection through regular screenings, such as mammograms, significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that women with average risk begin annual mammograms at age 45, with the option to start at age 40.
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is an X-ray examination of the breast, primarily used to detect and diagnose breast cancer and other breast diseases. It can be used for both screening (checking for early signs in those without symptoms) and diagnostic purposes (evaluating a suspected problem).
How frequently should one do a mammogram?
For women with an average risk of breast cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a mammogram every other year starting at age 40.
The American Cancer Society offers similar guidance, with women between 40 and 44 having the option of starting annual mammograms, and women 45-54 receiving annual mammograms. Women 55 and older can choose to continue annual mammograms or opt for screenings every two years.
Are mammograms foolproof?
Although a mammogram is one of the most convenient ways to detect breast cancer, they are not foolproof. While they are a valuable tool for breast cancer screening, they are not 100% accurate and can miss some cancers (false negatives).
Sometimes, mammograms may show suspicious areas that turn out not to be cancerous (false positives), requiring further tests.
Moreover, mammography has a sensitivity of about 87%, meaning it correctly identifies about 87% of women with breast cancer. However, mammography can be less effective in detecting breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue, which can make it harder to see abnormalities on the X-ray.
Recognizing early signs of breast cancer
While mammograms are crucial, being aware of the early signs of breast cancer can also aid in early detection. Common symptoms include:
Lumps in the breast or underarm:
A new lump or mass that feels different from the surrounding tissue.
Changes in breast size or shape:
Noticeable alterations in the contour, size, or shape of the breast.
Skin changes:
Redness, dimpling, or puckering of the skin on the breast.
Unexplained pain:
Persistent pain in the breast or nipple that doesn't have an obvious cause.
Nipple discharge:
Any discharge from the nipple, other than breast milk.
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Former MTV VJ and talk show host Ananda Lewis has passed away at the age of 52 following a nearly five-year battle with breast cancer. The former MTV VJ's sister, Lakshmi, announced news of her death in a Facebook post shared on Wednesday, June 11. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "She's free, and in His heavenly arms," she wrote, alongside a series of broken heart emojis and a black and white portrait of Lewis. "Lord, rest her soul." Ananda Lewis's journey with breast cancer Lewis became well known in 1997 when she was hired to be one of MTV's VJs, hosting shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. In 1999, The New York Times dubbed her 'the hip-hop generation's reigning It Girl.' She left MTV in 2001 to host her own talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show. In 2020, she publicly disclosed her diagnosis of stage III breast cancer, revealing that she had avoided regular mammograms due to fears of radiation exposure. At that time, she urged her followers to prioritize their health and get screened, emphasizing that early detection saves lives. Despite her advocacy, Lewis chose to pursue alternative treatments and declined a medically recommended double mastectomy. She believed in her body's ability to heal naturally and initially experienced improvements. However, by 2024, her cancer had progressed to stage IV, having metastasized to multiple areas of her body. Lewis expressed regret over her decision to forgo conventional treatment, acknowledging that her initial choices may have contributed to the cancer's spread. Lewis' death serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of early detection and regular screenings in the fight against breast cancer. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The importance of early detection Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States of America. In the USA, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, and the second leading cause of cancer death. In 2025, according to the American Cancer Society, it's estimated that approximately 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the US, with about 42,170 deaths. About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime, and 1 in 43 will die from it. The 5-year relative survival rate for all breast cancer patients is 91%, and for localized breast cancer, it's 99%. Early detection through regular screenings, such as mammograms, significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that women with average risk begin annual mammograms at age 45, with the option to start at age 40. What is a mammogram? A mammogram is an X-ray examination of the breast, primarily used to detect and diagnose breast cancer and other breast diseases. It can be used for both screening (checking for early signs in those without symptoms) and diagnostic purposes (evaluating a suspected problem). How frequently should one do a mammogram? For women with an average risk of breast cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a mammogram every other year starting at age 40. The American Cancer Society offers similar guidance, with women between 40 and 44 having the option of starting annual mammograms, and women 45-54 receiving annual mammograms. Women 55 and older can choose to continue annual mammograms or opt for screenings every two years. Are mammograms foolproof? Although a mammogram is one of the most convenient ways to detect breast cancer, they are not foolproof. While they are a valuable tool for breast cancer screening, they are not 100% accurate and can miss some cancers (false negatives). Sometimes, mammograms may show suspicious areas that turn out not to be cancerous (false positives), requiring further tests. Moreover, mammography has a sensitivity of about 87%, meaning it correctly identifies about 87% of women with breast cancer. However, mammography can be less effective in detecting breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue, which can make it harder to see abnormalities on the X-ray. Recognizing early signs of breast cancer While mammograms are crucial, being aware of the early signs of breast cancer can also aid in early detection. Common symptoms include: Lumps in the breast or underarm: A new lump or mass that feels different from the surrounding tissue. Changes in breast size or shape: Noticeable alterations in the contour, size, or shape of the breast. Skin changes: Redness, dimpling, or puckering of the skin on the breast. Unexplained pain: Persistent pain in the breast or nipple that doesn't have an obvious cause. Nipple discharge: Any discharge from the nipple, other than breast milk.
