TV personality and former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis has passed away at the age of 52 following a long battle with breast cancer. The news of her death was shared by her sister, Lakshmi, in a heartfelt post on Facebook on Wednesday, June 11. “She’s free, and in His heavenly arms,” Lakshmi wrote, alongside a black-and-white photograph of Ananda. “Lord, rest her soul.”
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment world, with MTV posting an emotional note on X (formerly Twitter): “We’re saddened to learn of the passing of beloved MTV VJ, Ananda Lewis. Through her on-air hosting and interviews, Ananda helped raise a generation of music fans. Our thoughts are with her family & loved ones.”
Ananda’s battle with breast cancer went public in 2020
Ananda first publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis in 2020. In an Instagram post, she shared that she had been diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. She also disclosed that she had avoided regular mammograms due to a fear of radiation. By the time she sought treatment, the cancer had already progressed.
In October 2023, Ananda participated in a powerful roundtable discussion with her longtime friend and CNN reporter Stephanie Elam and CNN anchor Sara Sidner. During the conversation, she revealed that she had refused a double mastectomy despite doctors urging her to go through with the procedure. Unfortunately, this made the cancer progress to stage IV as the tumour metastasized.
Early warning signs of breast cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among women, but early detection can make a life-saving difference. According to health experts, some of the first signs of breast cancer that should not be ignored include:
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
- Change in the size, shape, or appearance of the breast
- Unexplained pain in one part of the breast
- Nipple discharge, especially if bloody
- Skin dimpling, redness, or flaking on the breast or nipple
Importance of screening and early detection
Doctors stress the importance of early screening, especially for women over 40 or those with a family history of the disease. Regular mammograms, clinical breast exams, and monthly self-checks can significantly improve the chances of detecting breast cancer in its early stages.
According to the World Health Organization’s cancer research arm, breast cancer cases are projected to surge globally—from about 2.3 million in 2022 to over 3.2 million new diagnoses per year by 2050, with deaths expected to rise from 670,000 to around 1.1 million annually. In the US, the American Cancer Society estimates approximately 316,950 new cases of invasive cancer and 42,170 deaths in 2025. Despite this rise in incidence, early detection has a profound impact on outcomes. That makes regular mammograms, clinical exams, and awareness of warning signs important to treat the cancer as soon as possible.
