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Elle Macpherson Reveals Why She Refused Chemotherapy Seven Years After Cancer Diagnosis
Elle Macpherson has shared her journey with breast cancer for the first time and how she took an “intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach” to her diagnosis.
At 60, the Australian icon is opening up about her battle with the disease, which she kept a secret for seven years. She also spoke about why she refused to undergo chemotherapy.
Highlights
- Elle Macpherson revealed her breast cancer diagnosis for the first time after keeping it a secret for seven years.
- She chose an "intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach" and refused chemotherapy after consulting 32 doctors and experts.
- The Australian icon was diagnosed with HER2 positive estrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma, a specific type of breast cancer.
- She spent eight months alone in a house in Phoenix, focusing on healing with the guidance of various specialists.
“It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways,” she told Australian Women’s Weekly about finding out she had cancer.
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Elle Macpherson opened up about her battle with breast cancer for the first time since her diagnosis seven years ago
Image credits: ellemacpherson
Image credits: ellemacpherson
“It really gave me an opportunity to dig deep in my inner sense to find a solution that worked for me…I realised I was going to need my own truth, my belief system to support me through it,” she told the outlet.
“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,” she continued.
The supermodel, who detailed her battle with cancer in her new memoir titled Elle, said she was diagnosed with HER2 positive estrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma—a specific type of breast cancer characterized by excessive copies of the HER2 gene.
While having discussions with her doctor about a treatment plan, their conversations included terms like radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and breast reconstruction.
At 60, the Australian supermodel revealed her decision to forgo chemotherapy in favor of an “intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach”
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Image credits: ellemacpherson
After several weeks of deliberation and advice from 32 doctors and experts, the renowned style icon decided not to undergo chemotherapy and opted for a non-pharmaceutical path.
“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,” she wrote in her book. “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 own inner sense would have been even harder.”
She admitted that people thought she was “crazy,” but the choice “resonated” with her.
She also asserted that the path she took is not for everyone.
After consulting with 32 doctors and experts, the Australian icon chose a non-pharmaceutical path, which she said might not work for everyone
Image credits: ellemacpherson
Image credits: ellemacpherson
Elle, founder of the wellness brand WelleCo, said she spent eight months alone in a house in Phoenix, Arizona, where she was “focusing and devoting every single minute to healing [herself].”
She also had the guidance of several specialists, including her primary doctor, a doctor of naturopathy, a holistic dentist, an osteopath, a chiropractor, and two therapists.
While talking about her health now, she revealed that “in traditional terms,” she was in clinical remission. But she preferred to say, “I’m in utter wellness.”
“Truly, from every perspective, every blood test, every scan, every imaging test … but also emotionally, spiritually and mentally – not only physically,” she told the outlet. “It’s not only what your blood tests say, it’s how and why you are living your life on all levels.”
Some netizens felt her courage was “impressive,” while others called her decision “so dangerous”
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What do you think ?
LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 months ago
I'm all for people having the freedom to burn bundles of sage and rub quartz on their jahoobies and lie to themselves that the woo-woo stuff will "cure" their cancer. Grown adults are free to consult the Tarot and use essential oils on their Chakra points to try and "cure" their cancer. But they're sure going to infuriate and sadden their families when the copper bracelets don't work and they die, all because they wanted to take an "intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach" to curing their cancer.
Binky Melnik 3 months ago
I wish this weren’t being widely reported on, as it’s gonna give all the anti-vax and other clowns ideas that they don’t need doctors and medical treatment. 😞 Sure, maybe it’ll remove ‘em from the gene pool, but many have already had kids so those genes will live on, likely suffering from the loss. I think of Steve Jobs every time I read things like this. I wish the articles about people doing “alternative treatments” mention how it worked out for Steve. (Spoiler alert: he died a protracted, painful death that needn’t have necessarily happened.)
Load More Replies...
ElfVibratorGlitter 3 months ago
So from my ten minutes looking online it seems like the type of cancer she had wouldn't even respond to chemotherapy. HER2 gene. Cancer cells that have too many copies of the HER2 gene (HER2-positive cancers) produce too much of the growth-promoting protein called HER2. Targeted therapy d***s are available to shut down the HER2 protein, thus slowing the growth and killing these cancer cells. Estrogen receptor (ER) positive. The cells of this type of breast cancer have receptors that allow them to use the hormone estrogen to grow. Treatment with anti-estrogen hormone (endocrine) therapy can block the growth of the cancer cells. So here she is saying I didn't undergo chemo and am now fine. I think it's incredibly dangerous.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 months ago
I'm all for people having the freedom to burn bundles of sage and rub quartz on their jahoobies and lie to themselves that the woo-woo stuff will "cure" their cancer. Grown adults are free to consult the Tarot and use essential oils on their Chakra points to try and "cure" their cancer. But they're sure going to infuriate and sadden their families when the copper bracelets don't work and they die, all because they wanted to take an "intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach" to curing their cancer.
Binky Melnik 3 months ago
I wish this weren’t being widely reported on, as it’s gonna give all the anti-vax and other clowns ideas that they don’t need doctors and medical treatment. 😞 Sure, maybe it’ll remove ‘em from the gene pool, but many have already had kids so those genes will live on, likely suffering from the loss. I think of Steve Jobs every time I read things like this. I wish the articles about people doing “alternative treatments” mention how it worked out for Steve. (Spoiler alert: he died a protracted, painful death that needn’t have necessarily happened.)
Load More Replies... ElfVibratorGlitter 3 months ago
So from my ten minutes looking online it seems like the type of cancer she had wouldn't even respond to chemotherapy. HER2 gene. Cancer cells that have too many copies of the HER2 gene (HER2-positive cancers) produce too much of the growth-promoting protein called HER2. Targeted therapy d***s are available to shut down the HER2 protein, thus slowing the growth and killing these cancer cells. Estrogen receptor (ER) positive. The cells of this type of breast cancer have receptors that allow them to use the hormone estrogen to grow. Treatment with anti-estrogen hormone (endocrine) therapy can block the growth of the cancer cells. So here she is saying I didn't undergo chemo and am now fine. I think it's incredibly dangerous.
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