Elle Macpherson was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago and declined chemotherapy

Elle Macpherson, the renowned Australian model and television host, was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, a revelation that shocked many in the public eye. Despite her high-profile career and the scrutiny that accompanies it, Macpherson's decision to decline chemotherapy has prompted significant discourse surrounding treatment choices for cancer patients. This decision not only reflects her personal beliefs but also raises questions about patient autonomy in medical decision-making.

Macpherson's choice to forgo chemotherapy is particularly noteworthy given the conventional medical narrative that often emphasizes aggressive treatment as a necessary course of action for cancer patients. Chemotherapy is widely regarded as an effective method for combating various types of cancer; however, it also comes with a range of side effects that can severely impact a patient's quality of life. Macpherson's decision underscores the importance of individualized treatment plans and highlights how personal values can influence healthcare decisions. It brings to light the necessity for healthcare providers to engage in open dialogues with their patients regarding available options.

In an interview with Australian Women’s Weekly, the 60-year-old explained why she opted against the standard treatment in favor of what she called a more "holistic" approach.

“It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways,” the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model said of the diagnosis in the interview published Monday. “And it really gave me an opportunity to dig deep in my inner sense to find a solution that worked for me."

The model explained that going against doctors’ advice 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.”

“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 said, adding that chemo and surgery sounded “too extreme.”

Admitting that “people thought I was crazy,” Macpherson said her chosen treatment plan “resonated” with her, and allowed to her “address emotional as well as physical factors associated with breast cancer.”

UK says: "Therapists and companies who promote alternative therapies can cause harm by convincing people an alternative therapy will cure them, when it can’t. This can be especially harmful if a person is also encouraged to give up their conventional cancer treatment."

Responding to the news of Elle Macpherson’s breast cancer diagnosis, Jane Murphy, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, said: “Each person’s breast cancer diagnosis is different, and as such the treatment they are recommended will be tailored to their individual situation and agreed by them and a team of breast cancer experts. Specialists base this on robust clinical evidence."

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Sarah H

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