Supermodel Elle Macpherson refused chemotherapy for breast cancer and is now in remission

Supermodel Elle Macpherson has shared details of her 'shock' breast cancer diagnosis, revealing she is now in remission after refusing chemotherapy treatment.

The Australian model, 60, has revealed she underwent cancer treatment back in 2017 ahead of the release of her memoir Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself which has been released today (3 September).

During a chat with Women's Weekly, Macpherson explained that she had been diagnosed with a form of breast cancer known as HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma after undergoing a lumpectomy.

Macpherson was advised by doctors to undergo a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy, plus reconstruction of her breast.

"It was a shock, it was unexpected, it was confusing, it was daunting in so many ways," she explained in the interview.

The model was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago (Sam Tabone/WireImage)

Faced with a decision that would greatly impact the rest of her life, Macpherson consulted around 32 doctors for advice while spending an extended amount of time praying and meditating on a beach in Miami.

She would ultimately decide against medical advice in favour of pursuing alternative therapies.

After making the decision, Macpherson jetted out to Arizona where she spent the next eight months following 'an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach' to healing. This included a practice known as integrative medicine, which combines conventional medical treatment with complementary therapies which aim to 'treat and heal the whole person'.

Seven years on and the supermodel says she is now in remission for the illness, however she prefers to say she is 'in utter wellness'.

"It’s not only what your blood tests say, it’s how and why you are living your life on all levels," she added.

She says she is now in remission for the disease (Gisela Schober/Getty Images)

The model was keen to stress that she hadn't come to the conclusion of following non-traditional medicine lightly, adding in her book that there is no 'right' way to approach cancer treatment, just the 'right' way for her.

"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 wrote.

Macpherson also revealed that her family were divided over her approach, with her younger son Cy (then 14) supportive of her decision to not undergo chemo while her older son Flynn (then 19) and her former partner Arpad 'Arki' Busson had reservations about her decision.

"Flynn, being more conventional, wasn't comfortable with my 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," she said, adding that Busson had told her he 'didn't agree' with the decision but was 'proud' of her courage none the less.

Not everyone in Elle's family agreed with her approach (Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images)

What is the guidance on alternative therapies for cancer?

While cancer treatment mainly involves surgery, often followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, complimentary holistic therapies have been used in combination to provide greater comfort and quality of life to patients. This can involve treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage therapy and yoga.

Alternative therapies on the other hand are used instead of conventional medical treatment. However there is no scientific or medical research which shows they can cure cancer.