Why supermodel Elle Macpherson’s breast cancer story is causing a controversy

Australian actor and supermodel Elle Macpherson recently opened up on her secret battle against breast cancer.

In a recent interview with Australian Women’s Weekly magazine, the model recalled getting diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer seven years ago and how she chose to treat her condition with alternate therapies, what she called a “heart-led, holistic” approach.

While the actor, who played Janine Lecroix on the 1994 popular TV show ‘Friends’, is now in remission, her endorsement of alternative therapies for treating cancer has sparked debate in the medical community.

Here’s what we know of the controversy.

‘I am in utter wellness’

Macpherson revealed that she found a lump in her breast in 2014, and said her doctors discovered early-stage cancer during surgery to remove the mass.

“It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways,” the 60-year-old said of her diagnosis. “And it really gave me an opportunity to dig deep in my inner sense to find a solution that worked for me,” she told the Australian Women’s Weekly.

Macpherson was diagnosed with Stage 0 HER2 positive estrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma during the initial lumpectomy (a type of surgery that involves removing a breast lump). Despite advice from 32 doctors and experts recommending she undergo chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or a mastectomy, the actor chose a different path.

After weeks spent meditating, praying, and researching on a beach in Miami, Macpherson rejected conventional treatments, calling them “too extreme.” Instead, she embraced what she called a “holistic approach”, working with a naturopathy practitioner, holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor, and various therapists.

Talking about her upcoming book ‘Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself’, Macpherson wrote: “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 also recalled that her friends and family did not entirely approve of her decision to forgo chemo and admitted that “people thought [she] was crazy.”

The Sirens star continued, “I realised I was going to need my own truth, my belief system to support me through it.” “Sometimes an authentic choice from the heart makes no sense to others… but it doesn’t have to,” she added.

Reflecting on her current health, Macpherson shared, “in traditional terms, they’d say I’m in clinical remission, but I would say I’m in utter wellness."

“Truly, from every perspective, every blood test, every scan, every imaging test.” she said. “But also emotionally, spiritually and mentally — not only physically.”

What are doctors saying?

Elle Macpherson’s endorsement of a holistic-only approach to treating her breast cancer has sparked backlash from medical professionals and cancer survivors, who describe her stance as irresponsible and misinformed.

Dr Liz O’Riordan, a cancer expert and co-author of The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer, shared a video on X, highlighting the “potential dangers of choosing alternative treatment” alone. She noted that relying solely on alternative therapies could increase the risk of death “by six times,” though she did not provide a source for the statistic.

However, a 2017 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that patients with breast or colorectal cancer who chose alternative therapies as their initial treatment were five times more likely to die within five years compared to those who opted for conventional medicine.

Dr Brooke Nickel, a research fellow at the University of Sydney, cautioned that Macpherson’s ownership of a wellness company should be considered when evaluating her comments.

While urging patients to consult their doctors first, Nickel explained in a Guardian report, “The public and patients alike need to be wary of celebrities and social media influencers promoting wellness or alternative therapies, especially if they profit from these associations.”

“This whole rise with celebrities and influencers adopting the women’s empowerment language has taken the wellness movement to the next level, and often, what they’re discussing is not based on evidence,” he added.

Ceinwen Giles, CEO of Shine Cancer Support, a charity for those diagnosed with cancer, raised similar concerns. Speaking to Business Insider, she stressed the importance of mentioning that Macpherson had a lumpectomy.

“I worry that people will see this and think, ‘I’ll skip traditional treatments and try a holistic route because it worked for her,’” Giles said.

However, Macpherson clarified in her interview that her story reflected her personal choices and wasn’t meant as medical advice. “I’m simply sharing what I discovered through my own real experiences,” she said. “I want to help and encourage others to follow their heart and give things a go.”

With input from agencies