Elle Macpherson has revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, opting for a holistic approach over conventional treatments.
The 60-year-old Australian supermodel shared her battle in her newly released memoir, explaining her decision to refuse chemotherapy despite advice from 32 doctors.
Macpherson told Women’s Weekly: “It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways and it really gave me an opportunity to dig deep in my inner sense to find a solution that worked for me.”
The diagnosis came when she was found to have HER2-positive oestrogen-receptive intraductal carcinoma.
The 60-year-old underwent a lumpectomy but declined further recommended treatments, including mastectomy, radiation, and hormone therapy.
She explained her decision-making process saying: “It was a wonderful exercise in being true to myself, trusting myself and trusting the nature of my body and the course of action that I had chosen.
After meditating on a Miami beach, Macpherson opted for an “intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach” under the guidance of a doctor specialising in integrative medicine.
She spent eight months alone in Phoenix, Arizona, focusing on her recovery with a holistic team which included a primary doctor, naturopath, holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor, and two therapists.
In her book, Macpherson writes: “Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But saying no to my own inner sense would have been even harder.”
Her decision was met with mixed reactions from her family, with her younger son, Cy, supporting her choice, viewing chemotherapy as “a kiss of death”.
However, her older son Flynn was less comfortable with the unconventional approach, along with her former partner, Arki Busson, initially disagreeing but expressing pride in her courage.
In her memoir, Macpherson reflected: “I came to the understanding that there was no sure thing and absolutely no guarantees. There was no ‘right’ way, just the right way for me.”
Discussing her current health status, Elle told Women’s Weekly: “In traditional terms, they’d say I’m in clinical remission, but I would say I’m in utter wellness. And I am!
“Truly, from every perspective, every blood test, every scan, every imaging test … but also emotionally, spiritually and mentally – not only physically.
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“It’s not only what your blood tests say, it’s how and why you are living your life on all levels.”
Macpherson remains firm in her belief that she made the right choice for herself and emphasised the importance of trusting one’s own instincts.
“I realized I was going to need my own truth, my belief system to support me through it. And that’s what I did.”
The supermodel’s revelation has sparked discussions about alternative approaches to cancer treatment, though medical professionals continue to recommend conventional therapies as the most effective option for most patients.
