Incredibly Irresponsible? Or Just Trying to Find a Better Way to Stay Alive?

This week the Australian model, businesswoman, television host, and actress, Elle Macpherson has been in the news headlines in the UK. She has shared her experience of breast cancer, diagnosed 7 years ago, she says she consulted a number of doctors, and made the decision to reject ‘conventional treatment’ elected to have ‘alternative treatment’ and today she is happy and healthy.

It is reported that doctors advised Elle to undergo a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and the reconstruction of her breast.

You may know in the UK, the Cancer Act 1939 makes it illegal for anyone to treat cancer with anything other than chemo, surgery or radiotherapy. Depressing to think in 85 years that these brutal treatments have not advanced.

Elle decided against the usual cancer treatments, describing it as '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.'

She said that she continued with a treatment plan that 'resonated' with her, 'addressing emotional as well as physical factors associated with breast cancer.' 

The supermodel rented a house in Phoenix, Arizona for eight months where she 'holistically treated' her cancer under the guidance of her primary doctor, a doctor of naturopathy, holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor and two therapists.

The model is now in 'clinical remission' - but admits her sons Flynn, 26, and Cy, 21, and former partner Arpad 'Arki' Busson had mixed reactions about her unusual approach to the cancer diagnosis.

This unconventional 'treatment' is not recommended by the world's leading cancer experts, although they admit that keeping stress low and a healthy diet can lower the risk of cancer, but they say that once the disease has taken hold there is no evidence they can shrink tumours.

I personally have a foot firmly in each camp. I am not medically qualified to comment on what treatment works – as we know sadly, there are no guarantees whatever route you take.

I had conventional treatments but wanted to lower my risk of recurrence by also exploring many ‘alternative treatments’ as part of my recovery plan.

I am sad to see Elle vilified in the press and online, many insults have been thrown at her with one newspaper calling her ‘incredibly irresponsible’.

The rationale for this comment is that anyone reading her story with a breast cancer diagnosis would be encouraged to reject their doctor’s advice and refuse treatment.

Really? Would anyone really do that based on a story they read online of one woman’s journey?

My heart goes out to anyone with a cancer diagnosis, at a time for many people the lowest and most frightening time in their lives, they are faced with life changing decisions about what treatment to have.

Some people place total faith in their medical team. Some people choose to question everything and will research endlessly looking for answers.

No judgement here, just compassion for anyone on that path.

And while I would not advise anyone to follow Elle’s regime just because she is looking well – I am grateful that the debate about the choices that are faced at time of diagnosis are being aired.

I just wish this could be done with some kindness to Elle – online and in the press. You may not agree with her choices, but surely, she has the right to make that choice?

What happened to #BeKind?