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Privacy NoticeElle Macpherson has bravely opened up about her secret battle with cancer. The 60-year-old supermodel revealed that despite advice from 32 doctors, she chose not to undergo chemotherapy after being diagnosed in 2017. Instead, Elle “trusted in the nature” of her body and the “course of action” she had chosen. In a heartfelt confession, the Aussie icon admitted she was left reeling when she received the diagnosis. At the time, she underwent a lumpectomy a procedure to remove cancerous tissues from the breast. Elle was diagnosed with HER2-positive oestrogen-receptive intraductal carcinoma, and medics recommended a mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and a breast reconstruction.
Elle Macpherson was diagnosed with cancer in 2017
(Image: Getty Images)
However, Elle decided to go against traditional medicine. She expressed that she was being “true” to herself and trusting her own body, reports the Mirror. The legendary star admits to praying and meditating on a Miami beach as she opted not to treat the condition with medicine but instead with “an intuitive, heart-led holistic approach” “It was a shock, it was unexpected,” Elle shared with Women’s Weekly. She added: “It was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways and it really gave me an opportunity to dig deep in my inner sense to find a solution that worked for me.” Elle also remarked: “Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But saying no to my own inner sense would have been even harder.” Elle opened up about her choice to forego chemotherapy treatment and surgery, which she found too “extreme”, explaining: “People thought I was crazy,” yet she felt her own plan “resonated” with her. During her health crisis, Elle spent eight months in Phoenix, Arizona under “holistic treatment”, accompanied by the support of her personal doctor, naturopathy, holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor and two therapists.
The supermodel ignored the advice to have chemotherapy and surgery from her doctors
(Image: Getty Images)
Whilst Elle was firm on her course of action, her sons Flynn, 26, and Cy, 21, had differing views. Cy was entirely supportive of his mum’s approach, seeing chemotherapy as “a kiss of death”. On the other hand, Flynn “wasn’t comfortable” with Elle’s decision. Once more, she stated: “Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But saying no to my own inner sense would have been even harder.” Their dad, Ardpad ‘Arki’ Busson, wasn’t initially on board with Elle’s decision but openly expressed his pride in the “courage” she was showing. According to Cancer Research UK, while surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are common treatments for cancer, some patients opt for complementary therapies to alleviate treatment side effects. These can include acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, massage therapy, yoga and visualisation. Elle’s diagnosis came four years after a previous cancer scare. On her 49th birthday in 2013, she found a lump in her breast, which was later confirmed as benign. Recalling the experience to the Mail on Sunday, Elle shared: “I was away shooting Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model, so I couldn’t see my doctor and I was really panicking. It was four weeks before I got the biopsy results, so it was a long drawn out and stressful period of not knowing. I was lucky it was a fibroadenoma [a benign growth of fibrous tissue], but it was a really big warning. I did some soul searching and realised that maybe I was taking the wrong vitamins and minerals, not eating properly and was too stressed.”Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnElle MacphersonHealth
