Sometimes, we have to let people do what’s best for them

While the majority will opt for conventional healthcare treatments, others prefer a more natural approach, and that’s perfectly fine.

In 2020, renowned former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis revealed she had been battling breast cancer for more than two years. By the time the cancer was detected, it had already reached an advanced stage. When Lewis announced her cancer diagnosis, she shared that she would resort to holistic methods like juicing, herbal remedies and detox regimens instead of taking conventional treatments. She also shared how she refused mammograms for years due to concerns she had about the low-dose radiation associated with the test.

On June 11^th, 2025, Lewis passed away from breast cancer at the age of 52. Not that long after her passing, doctors and nurses have come out to voice their disapproval of Lewis supporting natural treatment methods for cancer over conventional techniques.

Doctors and nurses have taken to social media to share how they feel about Lewis’s opinions towards the pharmaceutical industry and how she preferred a more natural approach to cancer treatment over a pharmaceutical approach. Many of them blamed the holistic treatment method Lewis opted for as the cause of death, which is ignorant.

There are cancer patients who have opted to have surgery and chemotherapy, and while some have fortunately survived and beaten cancer, others who have done the aforementioned still ended up passing away from cancer. This goes to show that just because it worked for one person, it doesn’t mean it will work for another.

Typically, when someone dealing with cancer opts for the use of natural remedies over conventional treatment, it’s not done out of ignorance. They do so over genuine concerns they have about conventional treatments.

I also want to make a note on how people are quick to come out with a negative story about someone after their passing. It’s something that I find distasteful, as that person is no longer able to defend themselves.

It brings me back to when NBA legend Kobe Bryant passed away in a helicopter crash along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant and seven others, including the pilot. Just hours after Bryant’s death, people were quick to defame his name regarding the 2003 sexual assault allegations, knowing he was no longer able to defend himself.

This is something that needs to not continue. Lewis is not able to defend herself and cannot continue to explain why she opted not to go the traditional route. Also, Lewis opting to seek alternative treatments is no one’s business but hers. If medical professionals don’t agree with her choices, that’s okay. However, it was wrong of them to criticize Lewis for wanting to do what was best for her.

This is not an attempt to bash conventional healthcare. I believe people should do what works for them. All they shouldn’t do is force their beliefs onto others.