Elle Macpherson Under Fire For Saying She Treated Breast Cancer With A 'Holistic Approach'

Elle Macpherson has opened up about her secret breast cancer diagnosis, which she learned about seven years ago, leaving her loyal fans shocked.

The former model also spoke about her decision to reject traditional chemotherapy treatment, opting for a more unconventional approach to combat the disease, which seemingly scruffled feathers with a few of her loved ones.

Elle Macpherson called her rejection of "standard medical solutions... the hardest thing [she's] ever done."

In an interview with Australia's Women Weekly Magazine, the 60-year-old model opened up about her secret breast cancer diagnosis and how she rejected the advice of 32 doctors who'd told her to go for chemotherapy treatment.

Macpherson, who also revealed her cancer journey in her new eponymously titled book, "Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself," said that her ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis, which she received after a lumpectomy about seven years ago, came as "a shock" to her.

"It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways," she told the news outlet. "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."

Macpherson disclosed that she rejected going with the traditional chemotherapy treatment for her cancer, even after seeking counsel from 32 doctors. However, she warned that her choice isn't for everyone to make.

According to her, it was "an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach" to treatment, which she went with under the guidance of her primary doctor, who specializes in integrative medicine.

"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 book.

"I chose an 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," she went on.

"Sometimes an authentic choice from the heart makes no sense to others … but it doesn't have to. People thought I was crazy but I knew I had to make a choice that truly resonated with me. To me, that meant addressing emotional as well as physical factors associated with breast cancer. It was time for deep, inner reflection. And that took courage," Macpherson writes.

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover star explained that her unconventional decision was met with mixed reactions from her family members, particularly her sons, Flynn and Cy (then aged 19 and 14 respectively) – and their father, her former partner Arki Busson.

Macpherson said her younger son, Cy, "simply thought that chemo kills you," hence, "he never wanted me to do it because he thought that was a kiss of death," but her older son, Flynn, who she described as "more conventional," wasn't in support of her choice at all.

"He is my son, though, and would support me through anything and love me through my choices, even if he didn't agree with them. My children were extremely supportive in their different ways but I knew they felt very scared," she noted.

"Arki was really supportive … He didn't agree with what I was doing … Yet he wrote to me to tell me how proud he was of the courage I was showing," she wrote of her estranged partner. "Of course, he was scared because I'd decided not to take a conventional pharmaceutical route. He considered that extreme. I, on the other hand, felt the chemo and surgery route was extreme."

On social media, netizens were not pleased by Macpherson's remarks about ignoring her doctors' advice and opting for a "holistic approach" to treat her cancer.

One person  wrote, "This is shockingly irresponsible from Elle Macpherson. She was lucky that clearly the lumpectomy removed all the cancerous cells and it hadn't spread, but implying she "cured" cancer holistically is reckless beyond belief."

Another said, "Incredibly irresponsible from Elle Macpherson: Holistic therapy is NOT valid treatment for breast cancer. So entitled that a multimillionaire with access to best healthcare advises women to ignore medical advice. Ample evidence this bullshit kills people."

One more individual noted, "Hey Elle Macpherson! you can totally go down the holistic route and "pray and meditate" your way out of breast cancer treatment, but it is irresponsible and dangerous to promote this to women who will look up to you and pass on LIFE SAVING treatment because of your statement."

It turns out that Macpherson's choice seemed to pay off, and she's now using the lessons learned to inspire others, which is why she wrote her book.

Speaking on her current health status, she said, "In traditional terms, they'd say I'm in clinical remission, but I would say I'm in utter wellness. And I am!"

"Truly, from every perspective, every blood test, every scan, every imaging test … but also emotionally, spiritually and mentally – not only physically. It's not only what your blood tests say, it's how and why you are living your life on all levels," she explained.

Sharing her personal experience is something the "Batman and Robin" actress is passionate about, as she wants to use it as a medium to encourage greater wellness.

"It's not about giving advice to others," she said. "I'm simply sharing what I discovered through my own real experiences. I want to help and encourage others to follow their heart and give things a go … follow their heart in whatever they're choosing to do, not just when in crisis but for decisions, big or small."