Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson has candidly discussed her breast cancer diagnosis and her decision to forgo conventional medical treatments.
Elle Macpherson, a renowned figure from the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, has released her memoir as of September 3. In the book, the 60-year-old model not only details her career but also shares personal stories, including her revelation of being diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago.
In one segment of her book titled Elle, subtitled ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,’ she discloses her diagnosis of HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma. This type of breast cancer occurs when breast cells have an excess of the HER2 gene, leading to the production of too much HER2 protein, which promotes growth, as explained by the Mayo Clinic.
Macpherson recounts that doctors advised her to undergo a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and breast reconstruction.
The Mayo Clinic states: “Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body. Chemotherapy is most often used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body.”
However, Macpherson thought that “the chemo and surgery route was extreme.” After consulting with 32 doctors and experts and considering her options for several weeks, she chose a different path.
Speaking to The Weekly, Macpherson described her diagnosis as a ‘shock, unexpected’ and ‘confusing’ event, but stated it “really gave [her] an opportunity to dig deep in [her] inner sense to find a solution that worked for [her].”
She said, “I realised I was going to need my own truth, my belief system to support me through it. And that’s what I did. So, 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.”
Macpherson opted for a more ‘intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach’ for her treatment, admitting in her book that ‘saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing [she’s] ever done in her life.’
“But saying no to my own inner sense would have been even harder,” she added.
For her treatment, Macpherson worked with a doctor specializing in integrative medicine, which emphasizes lifestyle changes and specific therapies. She rented a house in Phoenix, Arizona, and spent eight months consulting with various health professionals, including a primary doctor, a naturopathic doctor, a holistic dentist, an osteopath, a chiropractor, and two therapists.
She explained, “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.
“[…] Sometimes an authentic choice from the heart makes no sense to others … but it doesn’t have to. People thought I was crazy but I knew I had to make a choice that truly resonated with me. To me, that meant addressing emotional as well as physical factors associated with breast cancer. It was time for deep, inner reflection. And that took courage.”
Macpherson mentioned that in ‘traditional terms’ she is ‘in clinical remission,’ but she considers herself ‘in utter wellness’ not just based on her medical results but also ’emotionally, spiritually and mentally.’
She shared that her reason for discussing her cancer journey now is not to offer ‘advice to others’ but to ‘simply share’ her ‘own real experiences.’
She concluded, “I want to help and encourage others to follow their heart and give things a go […] follow their heart in whatever they’re choosing to do, not just when in crisis but for decisions, big or small.
“Learn to slow down and get very quiet and very still and feel what truly resonates with you without the outer distractions of everybody else’s opinions. It’s about using your heart as a compass in life.”
If you have been affected by any of these issues and wish to speak to someone confidentially, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.