Supermodel Elle Macpherson Defends Decision To Refuse Chemotherapy For Cancer Diagnosis Sparking Online Debate

Australian model Elle Macpherson defended her controversial approach to cancer treatment. 

The supermodel, 60, was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago and has now divulged that she is in remission. 

Macpherson sparked a debate after it was revealed in her memoir, Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself, that she had taken a holistic approach after learning of her cancer diagnosis – and refused chemo. 

After being advised by 32 doctors, Macpherson went against their advice by refusing chemotherapy after receiving a lumpectomy for HER2-positive oestrogen-receptive intraductal carcinoma.

On Australia’s Today show, Macpherson appeared upset with host Karl Stefanovic after she said the media attention surrounding her approach was shining the light away from critical points in her memoir. 

“The book isn’t about cancer. And the focus on it is distorted,” Macpherson said. “It’s distorting the rest of the gems that are in the book.”

“I know, but you’ve found yourself in the middle of a debate that I think so many women are having with not just the community but with the conventional medical profession,” Stefanovic replied, noting that it should be considered a good thing that she triggered this debate. 

Macpherson continued to defend her route of treatment but made it known that the decision was not taken lightly, saying that she “sought a lot of medical advice.”