Elle McPherson Opens Up About Cancer Battle and Unconventional Treatment Choices

Elle McPherson, the iconic supermodel and business mogul, is opening up about her recent battle with breast cancer, a revelation that comes as part of her memoir, *Elle: Life, Lessons and How to Trust Yourself*. In an interview with Woman's Weekly, McPherson, now 60, shared her journey from diagnosis to her current state of "clinical remission," asserting that she feels she is in "utter wellness." The news of her illness struck McPherson as a shock, describing it as unexpected and daunting. It prompted her to embark on a profound personal exploration as she sought the right path for her treatment. "It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways," she recounted. To navigate this difficult period, McPherson consulted an extensive network of medical professionals—32 doctors and experts in total—though she did not disclose their identities or qualifications. Ultimately, McPherson made the controversial decision to forgo traditional chemotherapy and opted for what she termed an “intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach” to her treatment. In her memoir, she reflects on the complexity of her choice, stating, "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." Her decision was not without its challenges; she referred to the act of refusing standard medical treatments as the hardest thing she has ever done, yet felt that disregarding her own instincts would have been even more difficult. Her healing journey involved eight months spent in a rental property in Phoenix, Arizona, where she was under the care of a diverse team of specialists, including a naturopath, an osteopath, and a chiropractor. However, the qualifications of these practitioners have not been disclosed, raising questions about the efficacy and safety of her chosen path. It’s worth noting that research has shown that reliance on alternative treatments can be linked to lower survival rates among cancer patients. McPherson's choice to pursue an unconventional treatment route has drawn mixed reactions from her family. One of her teenage sons stood firmly by her, while the other, with a more traditional viewpoint, expressed discomfort with her decision. Nevertheless, McPherson shared that her family remained supportive, including her ex-partner and the father of her children, Arki Busson, who described her avoidance of conventional methods as "extreme." This reveal marks a significant moment in McPherson's life and career. She previously discovered a benign cyst in her breast back in 2014, which may have influenced her perspective on her current condition. As she continues to navigate her health journey, McPherson’s story serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the complexities of making personal health decisions in the face of formidable challenges.