Elle Macpherson is speaking out publicly for the first time about being diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago.
In a recent interview with Women’s Weekly, the Australian model and businesswoman recounted the call from her doctors when they informed her that she was diagnosed with HER2 positive estrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma. She was advised to undergo chemotherapy, but she chose a holistic approach to treatment instead.
“It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways,” she said. “And it really gave me an opportunity to dig deep in my inner sense to find a solution that worked for me. I realized 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.”
While Macpherson’s doctor suggested a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and reconstruction of her breast, she ultimately opted for “an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach,” after consulting 32 doctors and experts.
“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 new book Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself, which hits U.S. bookshelves Nov. 19. “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.”
Throughout her treatment, Macpherson remained under the care of several medical specialists, including her primary doctor, a doctor of naturopathy, holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor and two therapists. At one point, she also spoke with Olivia Newton-John (who died in 2022 following a battle with breast cancer), who underwent traditional medical treatments as well as holistic practices.
“Yes, we spoke a few times when I was diagnosed and also through both of our healing journeys,” the Friends actress recalled. “We did things differently, but we did share experiences with each other and how we feel and how we approach things.”
Now, after devoting so much time to healing herself, Macpherson said she’s in clinical remission, per traditional terms, “but I would 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 added. “It’s not only what your blood tests say, it’s how and why you are living your life on all levels.”