Elle Macpherson, a supermodel, recently revealed that she is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with HER2-positive estrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma, also known as stage 0 breast cancer, after undergoing a lumpectomy. Macpherson kept her diagnosis a secret for seven years and made the decision not to undergo chemotherapy, instead opting for a holistic approach to treatment in line with her beliefs in alternative medicine.
After consulting 32 doctors and experts, Macpherson chose not to follow the traditional route of mastectomy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Some of her family and friends thought she was “crazy” for rejecting conventional treatment options. However, Macpherson believed in staying true to herself and following her intuition on the best course of action for her health. She spent eight months in Phoenix, Arizona, focusing on holistic treatments and healing herself, eventually achieving clinical remission with clear test results.
Intraductal carcinoma, also known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), is a non-invasive type of breast cancer that affects about 20% of new breast cancer diagnoses. It involves abnormal cells in the lining of a breast duct that have not spread beyond that area. Most women with this stage 0 breast cancer can be cured. Macpherson’s cancer was HER2 positive, indicating a higher level of a protein that promotes rapid growth of breast cancer cells.
Treatment for DCIS often includes breast-conserving surgery or a mastectomy followed by radiation therapy. HER2-positive cancer is typically treated with drugs targeting the protein, along with hormone therapy if the cancer is hormone receptor-positive. It is important to note that not all cases of DCIS progress to invasive breast cancer, and some studies indicate a limited risk of progression for patients who choose not to undergo treatment.
Macpherson’s decision to pursue a holistic approach to her breast cancer treatment was a challenging one but ultimately led to positive outcomes for her. She prioritized her beliefs in alternative medicine and intuitive healing methods, choosing to trust her inner sense rather than follow the standard medical solutions. Through her journey to remission, Macpherson emphasized the importance of finding the right path for oneself in the face of a cancer diagnosis, acknowledging that there are no guarantees in any treatment option and that each individual must make the choice that feels right for them.
