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TV host, former model, and social activist Ananda Lewis recently shared that her breast cancer has metastasized and reached stage 4. She made the revelation during her October 15 sit-down with CNN’s Stephanie Elam and Sara Sidner.
51-year-old Lewis is married to Harry Smith, the younger brother of actor, and film producer Will Smith. She shared how she went against doctors’ advice for double mastectomy after she was first diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2020.
“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. I decided to keep my tumor and try to work it out of my body a different way. Looking back on that, I go, ‘You know what? Maybe I should have,’” Ananda shared.
According to Elam, the former MTV veejay tried out “aggressive homeopathic therapies,” and “traditional medication and radiation,” alongside better sleep habits, diet, and more which temporarily improved her condition.
However, last year, Ananda Lewis found out that her cancer had spread, as her “lymph system really flared up.”
All you need to know about Ananda Lewis’ husband
Ananda Lewis is the second wife of Harry Smith. Together, the couple share a son named Langston who was born in March 2011. However, it remains undisclosed when the two tied the knot.
Before Ananda Lewis, Harry Smith was married to Melissa Montoya with whom he had his first child, daughter Sydney (born in August 1999). Will Smith’s brother is also a part of the entertainment industry and is currently the CEO of the distribution company Smith Global Media.
Over the years, the Smith brothers also collaborated. For instance, in 1996, Harry was Will’s personal accountant. Later, the duo worked together on real estate ventures, as well as at Will and Jada Pinkett’s firm, Overbrook Entertainment. The siblings often make public appearances together such as at the premiere of Will’s 2024 film Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
Harry Smith has a twin sister Ellen. Additionally, they all have an elder sister named Pamela. Ananda Lewis is also close to the Smith family and is an aunt to Will’s kids, Jaden and Willow.
Exploring further Ananda Lewis’ breast cancer diagnosis
During the recent roundtable discussion with CNN, Ananda Lewis shared how her breast cancer has reached stage 4 after she chose not to get a double mastectomy when she was first diagnosed 4 years back.
She said that previously she declined to undergo mammograms as she feared being exposed to harmful radiation and deemed it a “mistake.” However, she also explained that she was going to fight through the disease.
On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, she sat down with the outlet and added that her quality of life was “important,” and so she opted against double mastectomy initially. She explained that last year when the cancer spread, she had a “conversation with death” for the first time.
“I was just like, ‘Fudge man, I really thought I had this.’ I was frustrated, I was a little angry at myself, and I said, ‘Man, listen. I know you’re coming for me at some point. But I don’t want it to be now. And if you could just wait, I promise when you do come, I’m gonna make it fun for you,’” Lewis shared.
The former Total Request Live host recalled how last year when her cancer began spreading, she couldn’t get out of bed for 8 weeks. She explained how the lymph in her abdominal region was “flared up” and started hurting until her collar bones.
Ananda Lewis, along with CNN’s Stephanie Elam and Sara Sidner (who underwent double mastectomy earlier this year after being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer) urged female viewers to get mammograms for early detection and diagnosis.
The anchor and VJ is best known for her 2001 eponymous talk show where she talked about women aged 18 to mid-30s and discussed topics like domestic violence, breast cancer, and other issues. It ran for one season on WB and NBC-affiliated channels. She is also well-known as the co-host of an A&E TV show titled America’s Top Dog.
