Elle Macpherson speaks publicly for the first time about her breast cancer diagnosis, which she was diagnosed with seven years ago.
In a recent interview with Women's WeeklyThe Australian model and entrepreneur spoke about the call from her doctors when they informed her that she had been diagnosed with HER2-positive estrogen-receptive intraductal carcinoma. She was advised to undergo chemotherapy, but she chose a holistic approach to treatment.
“It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in a lot of ways,” she said. “And it really gave me the opportunity to dig deep into my own inner sense to find a solution that worked for me. I realized that I was going to need my truth, my belief system to support me. And that’s what I did. So, it was a wonderful exercise in being true to myself, trusting myself and the nature of my body and the course of action that I had chosen.”
Although Macpherson's doctor recommended a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and breast reconstruction, she ultimately opted for “an intuitive, heart-driven, holistic approach” after consulting with 32 doctors and experts.
“I came to the conclusion that there was no sure thing and no guarantees. There was no 'right' way, only the right way for me,” she wrote in her new book. Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourselfwhich will hit American bookstores on November 19. “I chose a holistic approach. Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. But saying no to my inner sense would have been even harder.”
During her treatment, Macpherson remained under the care of several medical specialists, including her primary care physician, a naturopathic doctor, a holistic dentist, an osteopath, a chiropractor, and two therapists. At one point, she also spoke with Olivia Newton-John (who died in 2022 after a battle with breast cancer), who underwent traditional medical treatments and holistic practices.
“Yes, we talked a couple of times when I was diagnosed and also during both of our recovery journeys,” she said. Friends the actress recalled. “We did things differently, but we shared experiences with each other and how we feel and how we deal with things.”
Now, after dedicating so much time to his recovery, Macpherson said he is in clinical remission, by traditional terms, “but I would say I'm completely fine.”
“Really, from every perspective, every blood test, every scan, every imaging test … but also emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, not just physically,” she added. “It's not just what your blood tests say, it's how and why you're living your life on every level.”