Elle Macpherson Reveals Breast Cancer Journey 7 Years After Diagnosis: 'Daunting in So Many Ways'

Mar. 15, 2025

Elle Macpherson.Photo:James D. Morgan/Getty

James D. Morgan/Getty

Elle Macphersonis opening up about her breast cancer journey for the first time.

In a new interview to discuss her new self-titled bookElle, the 60-year-old Australian supermodel spoke about how she dealt with breast cancer, following her diagnosis seven years ago.

“It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting inso many ways,” Macpherson, who is currently in remission from the disease, toldAustralian Women’s Weekly.

The supermodel added that a doctor called her after she had a lumpectomy and told her it was HER2 positive estrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma, which is a type of breast cancer, per the outlet. Macpherson was then advised to undergo cancer treatment, including a mastectomy and chemotherapy.

Macpherson is speaking about her breast cancer diagnosis in her new book.Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty

Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty

Despite her alarm, she said the diagnosis “gave me an opportunity … to find a solution that worked for me” and she opted for a “holistic approach” to her cancer treatment with no chemotherapy or pharmaceuticals used.

“I realized I was going to need my own truth, my belief system to support me through it. And that’s what I did,” she toldAustralian Women’s Weekly. “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.”

In her new book, Macpherson writes about her treatment decision: “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.”

“Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” she continues in the book. “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 … and that took courage.”

The supermodel was diagnosed after having a lumpectomy in seven years ago.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Later on in her book, Macpherson also addresses the mixed reactions she got to her treatment from her sons Flynn, 26, and Cy, 21, though she adds that, in general, her family was “extremely supportive.”

The supermodel disclosed that she is now in clinical remission. “I would say I’m in utter wellness. And I am!” she toldAustralian Women’s Weekly. “Truly, from every perspective, every blood test, every scan, every imaging test … but also emotionally, spiritually and mentally — not only physically.”

Macpherson previously had a cancer scare in 2013 after finding a benign lump in her breast on her 49th birthday. “I was lucky — it was a fibroadenoma but it was a really big warning,” she previously told theMail on Sunday.“I did some soul searching and realized that maybe I was taking the wrong vitamins and minerals, not eating properly.”

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The experience led the supermodel to nutritionist and wellness expert, Dr. Simoné Laubscher, who specializes in hormone rebalancing, cancer and wellbeing, perAustralian Women’s Weekly. The pair came together to create WelleCo — a one-and-done vitamin and mineral complex and luxury wellness business. Macphersonopened a storeforWellecoin March 2016.

source: people.com