Elle Macpherson ignored doctors’ advice following breast cancer diagnosis: “People thought I was insane.”

In 2017, the supermodel confirmed that she had breast cancer.

Supermodel Elle Macpherson has been known as “The Body” for much of her remarkable career, stripping down to her intimates and appearing on magazine covers in swimwear.

However, the Australian beauty has not revealed everything of herself to the public. She has kept her breast cancer diagnosis a secret for 7 years.

Ahead of the November release of her book, “Elle,” Macpherson is opening up about her struggle with cancer and why, despite the advice of 32 physicians and specialists, she chose to fight it on her own.

“It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was overwhelming in so many ways,” the 60-year-old told Women’s Weekly about her diagnosis. “I was able to tap into my inner wisdom to create a solution that was effective for me.” I understood I would need my own truth, my belief system, to help me get through it. So that is what I did.”

Macpherson’s initial lumpectomy confirmed her diagnosis of HER2+ oestrogen responsive intraductal cancer.

Macpherson’s doctor recommended a mastectomy with chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. The doctor also proposed that the model have reconstructive surgery on her breasts, but after weeks of deliberation, Macpherson determined that “an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach” was the best way to combat her disease.

“It was a beautiful exercise in being true to myself, trusting myself, and believing in the nature of my body and the course of action that I had chosen,” she explained.

Macpherson employed integrative therapy, focusing on alternative therapies and lifestyle changes, limiting herself to her Arizona home for eight months under the supervision of her naturopathic doctor. She also saw an osteopath, chiropractor, holistic dentist, and two therapists.

In an excerpt from her book, Macpherson described how her immediate family reacted to her choosing a non-pharmaceutical route.

The model has two sons, Arpad “Flynn” Alexander Busson and Aurelius “Cy” Andrea Busson, with her ex-partner André “Arki” Arpad Busson. Her children were 19 and 14 years old when she received her diagnosis.

“Cy just believed that chemotherapy killed you. So he never wanted me to do that because he thought it was the kiss of death. Flynn, being more conventional, was completely uncomfortable with my decision. He is, nevertheless, my son, and he will support and love me regardless of my decisions, even if he does not agree with them. My children were incredibly supportive in their own ways, but I knew they were terrified.

“Arki was very supportive…” He disagreed with what I was doing. Despite this, he wrote to me to express his admiration for my courage. Of course, he was worried because I had elected not to go the traditional pharmacological path. He found it extreme. I, on the other hand, thought the chemo and surgery approach was excessive.”

“He was concerned since I had decided not to go the traditional medication path. He found it extreme. I, on the other hand, thought the chemo and surgery approach was excessive.”

— Elle Macpherson on her and ex-partner Arki Busson’s different opinions on how to fight cancer.

However, Macpherson admitted that her treatment regimen is unusual.

“I realized there was no definite thing and no guarantees. “There was no ‘correct’ method, only the way that worked for me,” she writes in her book. “I took a holistic approach. Saying goodbye to mainstream medical remedies was the most difficult thing I have ever done. But saying no to my own inner intuition would have been even more difficult.

“Choosing authentically from the heart may not make sense to others, but it does not have to.” People thought I was insane, but I knew I had to make a decision that actually connected with me. To me, this meant addressing both emotional and physical aspects of breast cancer. It was time for intense introspection. And that required courage.

“They thought I was insane, but I knew I had to make a choice that actually connected with me.” To me, that meant addressing both emotional and physical aspects of breast cancer. — Elle Macpherson

Macpherson claimed she is doing well more than a half-decade after receiving her original diagnosis.

“In traditional words, they would call me in clinical remission, but I would describe myself as completely healthy. “And I am!” She revealed.

“From all perspectives, every blood test, scan, and imaging test… but also emotionally, spiritually, and mentally–not just physically. It is not only what your blood tests show; it is how and why you live your life on all levels.

 

 

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