Elle Macpherson's cancer treatment confession sparks major backlash: 'Reckless beyond belief'

In Elle Macpherson's new book, Elle, apparently not an autobiography, but a 'series of wisdoms', she revealed a secret that she's kept for seven years – she had breast cancer and is now in remission. However, the 60-year-old model also revealed she chose to go down the path of 'holistic' treatment as opposed to traditional medicine, and social media users are not impressed.

Elle's doctor confirmed the diagnosis after a lumpectomy and suggested she have a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and a breast reconstruction. Speaking with The Weekly, Elle said, "It was a shock, it was unexpected, 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…I realised I was going to need my own truth, my belief system to support me through it. 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."

Elle spent a few weeks considering her options, choosing to embrace a holistic approach. After getting advice from 32 doctors and experts, she chose to pray and meditate on a beach and made the decision not to undergo chemotherapy.

The model decided on "an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach" to treating her cancer alongside her primary doctor, who specialises in integrative medicine – a combination of therapies and lifestyle changes to treat a patient.

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'People thought I was crazy'

In her book, she writes: "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.

"I chose an 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 adds, "Sometimes an authentic choice from the heart makes no sense to others … but it doesn’t have to. People thought I was crazy but I knew I had to make a choice that truly resonated with me. To me, that meant addressing emotional as well as physical factors associated with breast cancer. It was time for deep, inner reflection. And that took courage."

Elle adds that her son Flynn and his father, her former partner, Arki Busson, were not entirely comfortable with her decision. She writes that Arki saw her decision as "extreme", adding, "I, on the other hand, felt the chemo and surgery route was extreme."

After spending eight months alone under the care of a doctor, a doctor of naturopathy, a holistic dentist, an osteopath, a chiropractor and two therapists, Elle says, "In traditional terms, they'd say I'm in clinical remission, but I would say I'm in utter wellness."

Elle tells The Weekly that her book is "not about giving advice to others" but to "encourage others to follow their heart and give things a go."

Social media users slam Elle's 'shockingly irresponsible' comments

Social media users are not holding back about Elle's comments about treating her cancer 'holistically', and they are p**sed.

"This is shockingly irresponsible from Elle Macpherson," one X user says. "She was lucky that clearly the lumpectomy removed all the cancerous cells and it hadn't spread, but implying she 'cured' cancer holistically is reckless beyond belief."

"Going through my own breast cancer battle atm I wish I there was a 'holistic approach' but there’s not... What I do have is different options & I’ll take whatever treatments both my oncologist’s offer me to ensure I live a longer life to be with my husband and kids," another said.

"A lumpectomy isn't holistic, and she wouldn't have even known about the cancer 'to treat holistically' had she not gone the conventional medical route in the first place," a third said. "There is real toxic wellness/positivity culture out there at the moment that is both unnerving and dangerous."

"Totally agree I'm being treated for BC at the moment and I see people in oncology battling to stay alive I think Elle should be more mindful," someone else added.

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"Also going by her recent Instagram posts she's not averse to Botox/filler - no shade but she'll inject a foreign substance into her body but she won't do chemo cos 'holistic'," another pointed out.

"As a survivor, I am absolutely livid with her today - this nonsense costs lives," someone else said.

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