Ananda always encouraged her followers to be up to date on their mammograms after revealing that she had been delayed in getting hers leading up to her diagnosis (Pic: Instagram/iStock)
Former television host Ananda Lewis died of breast cancer; her sister, Lakshmi Emory, shared in a social media post. Lewis, known for her role as an MTV VJ and host of Teen Summit, was battling the deadly disease at stage 4. "She's frand in His heavenly arms," Emory wrote on Facebook. "Lord, rest her soul."
Lewis, who used to host MTV Live in the 90s, had been living with breast cancer since 2020 and recently opened up about her treatment. She said she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer after she conducted a self-exam. Being a fierce advocate for the fight against cancer, Ananda always encouraged her followers to be up-to-date on their mammograms after revealing that she had been delayed in getting hers leading up to her diagnosis.
However, last October, her cancer progressed to stage 4.
Ananda had also started genetically targeted fractionated chemotherapy—designed to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. However, despite these efforts, her scan only showed the progression of the disease, after which she decided to undergo treatment at an integrative care facility.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers that affect women and happens when cancerous cells in your breasts multiply and become tumours. According to experts, around 80 per cent of breast cancer cases are invasive, which means a tumour may spread from your breast to other areas of your body.
Breast cancer usually affects women aged 50 and older but can also affect those who are younger than that.
What causes breast cancer?
According to experts, breast cancer happens when the cells mutate and become cancerous so as to divide and multiply to create tumours. Doctors say they are not sure what triggers that change. However, research shows there are several risk factors that may increase your chances of developing breast cancer. A few of these include:
Age
Being 55 years or older
Gender
Women are much more likely to develop the condition than men
Family history
If your parents, siblings, children, or other close relatives have breast cancer, you are at risk of developing the disease.
Genetics
Around 15 per cent of people with breast cancer develop the disease because they have inherited genetic mutations, with the most common ones involving the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Smoking
Tobacco use has been linked to many different types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Alcohol
According to studies, drinking increases the risk of breast cancer
Radiation exposure
If you have had prior radiation therapy – especially to your head, neck, or chest – doctors say you are likely to develop breast cancer.
What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?
Doctors say breast cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms in early stages, but a few among them are:
- A change in the size, shape, or contour of your breast
- A mass or lump that feels as small as a pea
- A lump or thickening in or near your breast or in your underarms that persists through your menstrual cycle
- Change in the look or feel of your skin on your breast or nipple
- A marble-like hardened area under your skin
- A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from your nipple
