Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson, 60, has revealed she secretly battled breast cancer seven years ago and is now in remission – but she raised eyebrows after saying she refused chemotherapy and instead treated the cancer ‘holistically.’
Doctors advised Elle undergo a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and the reconstruction of her breast.
However, Elle – who was dating anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield at the time of her diagnosis – decided against the usual cancer treatments, describing it as ‘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.’
The model – who was known as The Body at the height of her career – admitted that people thought she was ‘crazy’ after making her medicine-free decision and she has faced an angry backlash for shunning the advice of 32 doctors.
Critics branded her as ‘shockingly irresponsible’ for her choice to adopt a ‘heart-led, holistic approach’ to her illness against the advice of doctors.
Elle Macpherson has revealed she secretly battled breast cancer seven years ago but is now in remission after she refused to undergo chemotherapy
She said that she continued with a treatment plan that ‘resonated’ with her, ‘addressing emotional as well as physical factors associated with breast cancer.’
The supermodel rented a house in Phoenix, Arizona for eight months where she ‘holistically treated’ her cancer under the guidance of her primary doctor, a doctor of naturopathy, holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor and two therapists.
The model is now in ‘clinical remission’ – but admits her sons Flynn, 26, and Cy, 21, and former partner Arpad ‘Arki’ Busson had mixed reactions about her unusual approach to the cancer diagnosis.
This unconventional ‘treatment’ is not recommended by the world’s leading cancer experts, as keeping stress low and a healthy diet can lower the risk of cancer, but once the disease has taken hold there is no evidence they can shrink tumors.
Health experts previously told the DailyMail.com that the model was promoting ‘dangerous’ therapies that could ‘cost women their lives’.
It’s not the first time the model has touted her holistic lifestyle, regularly preaching her natural supplement company, WelleCo, and plant-based lifestyle – as well as her exercise and wellness routine.
According to Dr. Daniel Landau, who is an oncologist, hematologist and contributor for The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com, it’s vital to keep a close eye on your health – no matter how clean of a lifestyle you lead.
‘Unfortunately, despite the best of habits, cancers can still develop in otherwise healthy people. There is no known way to guarantee avoiding cancer,’ he told DailyMail.com.
‘Typically, patients who follow healthy diets, exercise, get adequate rest, and don’t have unhealthy habits like excessive drinking or smoking, are less likely to develop cancer.
‘Those patients who do follow healthy habits that end up developing cancer often have less aggressive variants of the disease. But unfortunately, no matter how healthy we are, there are no guarantees.’
While the evidence for treating cancer holistically isn’t there, Elle generally promotes a regime for a healthy lifestyle.
Here DailyMail.com lays out her strict wellness and diet routine.
The model admitted that people thought she was ‘crazy’ after making her medicine-free decision (pictured in 2017 – the year she was diagnosed)
Getting up with the sun
The supermodel shared more about her wellness tips on the WelleCo website, supplements company which she is the founder of.
Elle usually gets up with the sun, where she likes going outside and putting her ‘feet to the earth’ to ground herself.
She also starts the day at 5am with a simple smile, before hydrating with water and lime and heading outside.
‘I love being outside and connecting to nature,’ she said. ‘I choose activities where I am outside, close to nature as much as possible — hiking, biking, swimming or simply sitting in the fresh air and sunshine.’
The model also has an evening routine she swears by, which consists of an infrared sauna followed by a cold plunge in my plunge bath, a smile and putting her hands on her solar plexus.
‘[I] think about what I’m grateful for that day, and drift into a peaceful sleep,’ she said.
Elle follows a plant-based diet and prefers homemade meals made ‘with love,’ so her lunch is made using locally grown and organic veggies, handpicked from her local farmer’s market.
An ‘essential’ part of Elle’s day and to beat the 3pm slump is to perform an East Asian tea ceremony with her favorites being rooibos tea in vanilla and earl grey.
She said she went against the advice of 32 doctors, and the wishes of her family, to treat her breast cancer without the usual medical methods (pictured with sons Flynn, 26, and Cy, 21)
Rituals, mindfulness and energy healing
According to Elle, practicing mindfulness helps her set up her day and she tries to implement a regular routine before bed.
She regularly works out, and implements cold plunges into her daily routine.
‘I like to go for a cold plunge after my workout followed by a matcha in the sunshine before getting ready for my day,’ the model told Body and Soul.
She also believes in starting her day with ‘self-loving affirmation,’ practicing gratitude.
‘I say things to like: “I am awake, I’m vital, I am inspired, I’m excited for my day,” rather than immediately just scrolling through Instagram, which so many people do,’ she explained.
She added: ‘I don’t touch my phone until I’m ready to address whatever is there.’
The supermodel, 60, cold plunges morning and night as apart of her wellness routine
Elle also stressed the importance of having an evening routine, as well as morning one.
‘At the end of the day, I like to relax in my infrared sauna followed by a cold plunge,’ she enthused.
The model has also said she takes care of her ‘mind, body, and spirit every day with and meditation,’ taking part in 25 minutes of silent or guided meditation
‘I try to live my life in a perpetual flow of meditative connection rather than just at specified times,’ she said.
Elle has also spoken of her belief in ‘energy healing,’ taking part in acupuncture, breathwork and sound healing, as per Shape.
On the podcast Style DNA, Elle revealed her tips for getting a good night’s sleep after realizing the importance of getting eight hours, saying: ‘I go to bed with a smile. I go to bed with a happy heart. And an eye mask. No clothes. My skin.’
Elle has also spoken of her belief in ‘energy healing,’ taking part in acupuncture, breathwork and sound healing, as per Shape
Bio-tweaks
The 60-year-old has also spoken of her foray into ‘bio-tweaking’, sharing what she does to try and reverse her biological age.
In addition to her company’s supplements, which she takes to support her gut health, as well as skin and hair care, she also regularly cold plunges and uses saunas.
‘I’ve just discovered the Russian Banyas, an ancient tradition of steam sauna, which I like to alternate with a cold plunge,’ the model told Get The Gloss in 2023.
‘It’s a great way to stimulate the lymph system, detox, unwind and a fun alternative as a date to connect with friends.’
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