by Elle Macpherson has revealed that she refused to undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer despite the advice of 32 doctors.
The supermodel and mother of two, 60, is now in “clinical remission” after being diagnosed seven years ago.
In her forthcoming memoirs, Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself, Macpherson revealed how she decided to take a holistic approach to the disease and refused to use conventional medicine – which went against her wishes. family
Speaking to Women’s Weekly, the Australian model said her diagnosis in 2017 was a “shock”, adding: “It was confusing, it was scary in so many ways and it made me really dig deep in a sense inside found a solution that worked for me.
“The hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life was to refuse standard medical solutions. But it would be even harder to reject my inner sense,” she explained.
Macpherson, who is the founder of wellness company WelleCo, was diagnosed with inducible oestrogen-positive HER2 carcinoma – a type of breast cancer – after undergoing a lump sum to remove cancerous tissue.
After she was diagnosed, doctors recommended she undergo a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and breast reconstruction.
However, Macpherson – who once dated anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield, decided to forget about using traditional medicine to treat cancer and instead explained that she was being “true” to herself for trusting him her own body.
Mr Wakefield was struck off the UK medical register and banned from practicing in 2010.
Macpherson admitted to praying and meditating on a beach in Miami as she chose to treat the condition with an “intuitive, heart-guided holistic approach”.
“People thought I was crazy,” she revealed, but explained that she had undergone “extreme” chemotherapy treatment.
After her diagnosis, the supermodel spent eight months undergoing “holistic treatment” in Phoenix, Arizona, where she was supported by her personal doctor, a holistic dentist, an osteopath, a chiropractor, a naturopath and two therapists.
During this time, she focused on “addressing the emotional and physical factors associated with breast cancer”.
She said she spent her days “focusing and spending every moment to heal myself”.
The model also revealed her family’s mixed reactions to her unconventional treatment approach, saying her eldest son Flynn, 26, was “not comfortable” with her choice to undergo chemotherapy.
“Flynn was not comfortable with my choice at all, because it was more traditional,” she said. “However, he is my son and he would support me through anything and love me through my choices, even if he doesn’t agree with them.”
Arpad “Arki” Busson, her former partner of 10 years, did not agree with her methods, but wrote her a letter saying he was “proud” of her courage.
Cy, 21, her younger son, fully supported his mother’s decision because he believed chemotherapy was “the kiss of death”, she said.
Soul searching
Macpherson had a previous cancer scare in 2013 when doctors found a lump in her breast which turned out to be benign.
The health scare prompted her to reassess her approach to fitness and the model previously told the Mail on Sunday: “It was a huge wake-up call. I did some soul searching and realized that maybe I was taking the wrong vitamins and minerals, not eating right and I was under too much stress.”
She now adheres to an elaborate wellness routine, including meditation, acupuncture, cold immersion, sound healing, a plant-based diet, tea ceremonies, sessions in an infrared sauna and taking a range of supplements and elixirs from her own wellness brand.
Although experts agree that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for cancer prevention and during cancer treatment, typical treatment for the disease revolves around chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
Cancer Research UK notes that some cancer patients choose to incorporate complementary therapies into their treatment to ease side effects, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage therapy, yoga and visualization.
Dr Liz O’Riordan, a retired breast surgeon known for her work in breast cancer awareness, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share her thoughts on Macpherson’s holistic treatment method.
She said: “I have so much to say about this. The potential dangers of choosing an alternative treatment for breast cancer can increase your risk of death sixfold.
“There’s no evidence to prove that any of it works.”
Dr David Robert Grimes, an author and cancer researcher, said the supermodel’s revelation was “extremely irresponsible”.
“Holistic therapy is NOT a valid treatment for breast cancer,” he said on X.
Jane Murphy, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, said: “Everyone’s breast cancer diagnosis is different, so the treatment recommended will be tailored to their individual situation and agreed between them and their breast cancer expert team. Specialists base this on strong clinical evidence.
“Elle’s personal experience illustrates the complexities of navigating and making individualized treatment decisions, and we encourage anyone with questions or concerns about their treatment options to speak with their specialist treatment team.
“At Breast Cancer Now, we’re here for anyone affected by breast cancer and we want people to know that they can talk to us about anything that’s on their mind – we’re here to listen, and giving people a confidential space to seek support. and information they need to make fully informed decisions that are right for them. To speak to our expert nurses call our free helpline on 0808 800 6000.”
