Crucial information missing in Elle Macpherson breast cancer story, experts warn

Many media reports based on the supermodel’s interview with the Australian Women’s Weekly lack detail about the cancer and risk misinforming people

A leading breast cancer surgeon claims many media reports that the supermodel Elle Macpherson treated breast cancer with alternative therapies have left out crucial information, risking people being misinformed.

News organisations, including this publication, reported that after Macpherson was diagnosed with HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma in 2017, she decided not to follow standard medical advice from doctors.

She told the Australian Women’s Weekly magazine that she instead followed “an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach” and rejected surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

But Macpherson says she did undergo a lumpectomy, which is a type of surgery that involves removing a breast lump.