Elle Macpherson, age 60, has disclosed her previously undisclosed battle with breast cancer, during which she chose to decline chemotherapy treatment despite the recommendation of 32 medical professionals.
Elle Macpherson has disclosed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago but is now in remission after opting against chemotherapy. The 60-year-old Australian supermodel revealed in her forthcoming memoir, Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself, that she pursued a holistic treatment approach, contrary to the recommendations of 32 medical professionals and the desires of her family.
In an interview with Women’s Weekly regarding her diagnosis, Macpherson stated, “It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways, and it truly gave me the opportunity to delve deeply into my inner strength to find a solution that was right for me.”
Following a lumpectomy seven years ago, Elle Macpherson, the founder of WelleCo, was diagnosed with HER2 positive estrogen receptor-positive intraductal carcinoma. Her medical team advised a comprehensive treatment plan that included a mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and breast reconstruction.
Despite these recommendations, Elle, who was in a relationship with controversial anti-vaccine advocate Andrew Wakefield at the time, opted against conventional medical treatment. She described her decision as “a wonderful exercise in being true to myself, trusting myself, and trusting the natural course of action that I had chosen for my body.”
Elle Macpherson shared that she reached her decision to forego pharmaceutical treatment for her cancer after spending time in prayer and meditation on a Miami beach. She chose instead to pursue “an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach” to her healing.
“Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Elle explained, “but saying no to my own inner sense would have been even harder.” She further expressed that she found chemotherapy and surgery to be too “extreme.”
Known during her modeling career as “The Body,” Elle acknowledged that many people thought she was “crazy” for rejecting conventional treatment. Nevertheless, she committed to a plan that “resonated” with her, addressing both the emotional and physical aspects of her breast cancer.
Elle revealed that she rented a house in Phoenix, Arizona, for eight months, where she focused on “holistically treating” her cancer. Under the guidance of her primary doctor—a doctor of naturopathy—along with a holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor, and two therapists, she dedicated herself entirely to her healing.
Living alone during this time, Elle said she spent every day “focusing and devoting every single minute to healing myself.”
Now in “clinical remission,” which she prefers to describe as “utter wellness,” Elle reflected on the mixed reactions of her family to her unconventional approach. Her youngest son, Cy, fully supported her decision, believing that chemotherapy was “a kiss of death,” while her eldest son, Flynn, had reservations due to his more conventional views.
“Flynn wasn’t comfortable with my choice at all,” Elle admitted, “but he is my son, and he would support me through anything and love me through my choices, even if he didn’t agree with them.”
As for Arpad “Arki” Busson, her former partner and the father of Flynn and Cy, Elle shared that while he “didn’t agree” with her methods, he wrote her a letter expressing how “proud” he was of the courage she was demonstrating.
