In September, Australian supermodel and entrepreneur Elle Macpherson faced backlash after claiming in her new memoir that she had “cured breast cancer” using holistic methods rather than conventional medicine.
McPherson, 60, wrote in her book Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust in Herself that she underwent chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy to treat her cancer, which was discovered in 2016. revealed that she ignored the advice of 32 doctors who advised her to undergo a mastectomy. In 2017, after she underwent a lumpectomy to remove a tumor from her breast.
Instead, she took a “holistic approach,” sharing on the 60 Minutes TV show that her treatment included “intravenous fluids, dentistry, osteopaths, chiropractors, and a lot of spiritual work.” .
In an interview with Australian Women’s Weekly, she said: “Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I’ve ever done…People thought I was crazy, but when I was truly in my heart… I knew I had to make a choice that resonated.”
In her book, Elle Macpherson revealed that she ignored the advice of 32 doctors who recommended she undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and a mastectomy to treat her cancer. Photo: Penguin
Many doctors and other medical professionals have expressed concern that this model could encourage other invasive breast cancer patients to rely on non-evidence-based treatments to fight the disease.
Breast Cancer Network Australia says that while a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition, exercise and mental health, plays an important role in cancer treatment, the organization says: “To guide treatment decisions, “We advocate the importance of access to reliable, evidence-based information.” ”.
