Today show host Karl Stefanovic has defended Elle Macpherson’s decision to refuse chemo treatment for cancer.
The supermodel, 60, was diagnosed with HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma – a type of breast cancer, after undergoing a lumpectomy seven years ago.
However instead of seeking traditional medical treatment, the Australian model went with a ‘holistic’ approach and is now in remission.
Karl, 50, was interviewing medical expert Dr Michael Bonning on Wednesday’s Today show about Elle’s recovery.
Bonning said the supermodel’s approach was uncommon and that there are some chemotherapy treatments that aren’t as brutal on the body as they were in the past.
The doctor then suggested that conventional medicine was the way to go, and said ‘you need to work through this with your doctor.’
However, towards the end of the segment, Karl gave some words of encouragement to Elle for sticking to her guns.
‘I don’t know whether there’s a right or wrong answer, and it’s up to you. You choose your path. And good on her,’ the Today show host said.
It comes as Elle has been branded ‘shockingly irresponsible’ for treating her condition with a ‘heart-led holistic approach’, shunning the advice of 32 doctors.
Medics suggested a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, plus reconstruction of her breast.
But Elle decided go down the route of unconventional treatment and enlisted a group of specialists to create a plan that ‘addressed emotional as well as physical factors associated with breast cancer’.
The model rented a house in Phoenix, Arizona and spent eight months there, with regular visits from two therapists, a chiropractor, holistic dentist and a doctor who claims she cured her own cervical cancer using juice cleanses and a ‘detox’.
Elle is now in clinical remission, meaning she has no signs and symptoms of the disease.
The mother-of-two admitted her eldest son Flynn, 26, who was 19 at the time of diagnosis ‘wasn’t comfortable with my choice at all’.
Following her interview with Women’s Weekly, fans agreed with Flynn as they blasted the supermodel for being ‘reckless’ while medics in the cancer field said she was promoting ‘dangerous’ therapies that could ‘cost women their lives’.
Taking to X, fans wrote: ‘This is shockingly irresponsible from Elle Macpherson. She was lucky that clearly the lumpectomy removed all the cancerous cells and it hadn’t spread, but implying she “cured” cancer holistically is reckless beyond belief.
‘Totally agree I’m being treated for BC at the moment and I see people in oncology battling to stay alive I think Elle should be more mindful.’
‘This is a worrying message, I’m not against holistic therapy and whatever gives you your best peace but if they hadn’t got all the cancer removed I’m not so sure about remission. Cancer is unique to each individual unfortunately.’
Another defended Elle as they said: ‘Everyone has to choice to do what is right for them. She isn’t recommending people take her approach.
As someone who chose the conventional route for breast cancer I would never criticise what anyone else decided. Research, research, research…..and then free will.’
