Elle Macpherson fiercely defends controversial cancer treatment comment in heated debate
Supermodel Elle Macpherson is this week standing her ground against critics, just days after making a series of controversial confessions about her recent cancer treatment.
The 60-year-old admitted to having declined chemotherapy after seeking advice from 32 doctors.
In an interview released by Woman's Weekly, mother-of-two Elle revealed she'd been diagnosed with HER2-positive oestrogen-receptive intraductal carcinoma - a dangerous form of breast cancer - back in 2017.
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She immediately followed the announcement up, however, with the admission that she refused traditional treatment.
Macperson wrote in her upcoming memoir Don't Sweat The Small Stuff that her doctor had recommended chemotherapy, as well as a mastectomy, radiation, hormone therapy and a reconstruction of her breast.
Elle - who was dating prolific anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield at the time - confessed that she declined conventional treatment, opting to 'trust the nature' of her own body to handle the disease.
She also implemented daily prayer and meditation, and hoped that an 'intuitive, heart-led holistic approach' would assist in her recovery.
Since her claims hit the headlines, however, the 80s superstar has endured a wave of backlash, with many followers - including MAFS UK dating expert and fellow cancer sufferer Mel Schilling - accusing her of preaching 'dangerous' practices.
Speaking to Today show presenter Karl Stefanovic today (9 Sept), however, Elle claimed that though she didn't intend for her health admission to steal all focus away from the release of her new book, she still stands by her views.
"The book isn't about cancer," she told viewers. "And the focus on it is really distorted. It's distorting the rest of the gems that are in the book."
Stefanovic responded: "I know, but you've found yourself in the middle of a debate that I think so many women are having with not just the community, but with the conventional medical profession.
"As you rightly point out there is a transition to more holistic, however that combination comes about, you've sparked the debate. And I think that's a really good thing."
Elle went on to insist that the decision to ignore medical help wasn't one she'd taken lightly.
"Just to be clear, I sought a lot of medical advice," she claimed. "It was very interesting, because every doctor has a different opinion on how to treat my specific case of breast cancer.
"There was no clear path and there was no guarantees either way.
"So, I just made a decision based on all the information that I gathered and what felt right for me."
Rhianna Benson