Elle Macpherson has revealed she refused to undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer despite the advice of 32 doctors.
The 60-year-old supermodel mother of two is currently in “clinical remission” after being diagnosed seven years ago.
In her forthcoming memoir, Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself, Macpherson describes how she decided to take a holistic approach to her illness and refused to use conventional medicine, against her family’s wishes.
The Australian model told Women’s Weekly that her diagnosis in 2017 came as a “shock”, adding: “It was confusing, it was terrifying in many ways and it gave me the opportunity to dig deep into my inner feelings and find a solution that worked for me.
“Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But saying no to my own inner voice would be even harder,” she explained.
Macpherson, founder of wellness company WelleCo, was diagnosed with HER2-positive estrogen receptor intraductal carcinoma (a type of breast cancer) after undergoing a lumpectomy to remove cancerous tissue.
After her diagnosis, doctors recommended that she undergo mastectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and breast reconstruction.
But Macpherson, who was once lovers with anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield, has abandoned using conventional medicine to treat cancer, saying she is instead being “honest” to herself by trusting her own body.
Mr Wakefield was struck off the UK medical register in 2010 and banned from practising his profession.
Macpherson admitted to praying and meditating on a beach in Miami as she chose to treat her ailment with an “intuitive, heart-based holistic approach.”
“People thought I was crazy,” she explained, but she found the chemotherapy treatment to be too “extreme.”
After her diagnosis, the supermodel spent eight months undergoing “holistic treatment” in Phoenix, Arizona, where she received support from her personal doctor, holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor, naturopath and two therapists.
During this time, she focused on “addressing the emotional and physical factors associated with breast cancer.”
He said he spends his days “focusing on getting better and dedicating every minute to that.”
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 decision to forgo chemotherapy.
“Flynn, being the more traditional guy, was not happy with my choice at all,” she said. “But he’s my son and he supported me in everything and loved my choices, even if he didn’t agree with them.”
Her former partner of 10 years, Arpad “Arki” Busson, also “disagreed” with her methods but wrote her a letter saying he was “proud” of the courage she showed.
Her mother’s younger son, Cy, 21, said he fully supported his mother’s decision as he believed chemotherapy was the “kiss of death”.
Soul searching
Macpherson had a cancer scare in 2013 after doctors found a benign lump in her breast.
The health scare inspired her to reassess her approach to wellness, with the model previously telling the Mail on Sunday: “It was a really big wake-up call. I did a bit of soul-searching and realised maybe I was taking the wrong vitamins and minerals, not eating properly and was just very stressed.”
She currently follows an elaborate wellness routine that includes meditation, acupuncture, cold showers, sound healing, plant-based nutrition, tea ceremonies, sessions in an infrared sauna, and a variety of supplements and elixirs from her own wellness brand.
Although experts agree that a healthy lifestyle is important both in preventing cancer and during cancer treatment, typical treatment for the disease consists of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
Cancer Research UK notes that some cancer patients choose to include complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage therapy, yoga and visualization, in their treatment to ease side effects.
Retired breast surgeon Dr. Liz O’Riordan, known for her work in breast cancer awareness, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her thoughts on Macpherson’s holistic treatment method.
He said: “I have a lot to say about this. The potential dangers of choosing alternative treatment for breast cancer can increase your risk of dying by six times.
“There is no evidence to prove that any of these things work.”
Author and cancer researcher Dr. David Robert Grimes called the supermodel’s confession “incredibly irresponsible.”
“Holistic therapy is NOT a valid treatment for breast cancer,” said X.
Jane Murphy, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, said: “Every person’s breast cancer diagnosis is different and so the treatment they are offered will be tailored to their individual circumstances and agreed by them and a team of breast cancer specialists. Experts base this on sound clinical evidence.
“Elle’s personal experience highlights the complexities involved in making and navigating the right treatment decisions for an individual and we would encourage anyone with questions or concerns about treatment options to speak to their specialist treatment team.
“At Breast Cancer Now, we are here for everyone affected by breast cancer and we want people to know that they can talk to us about anything that is on their mind. We are here to listen and provide a confidential space where people can get the support and information they need to make fully informed decisions that are right for them. Call our free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 6000 to speak to our specialist nurses.”