Elle MacPherson's Journey Through Cancer: A Natural Perspective
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Chapter 1: Elle MacPherson's Cancer Narrative
Recently, the media has been buzzing with stories about supermodel Elle MacPherson's battle with breast cancer, as detailed in her upcoming book, Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself. In various interviews, she shared her decision to forgo chemotherapy, opting instead for a holistic healing approach. This choice has led to accusations of irresponsibility, with critics claiming she promotes misleading ideas about natural remedies and offers false hope to those fighting cancer.
What many sensational headlines overlook, however, is that MacPherson underwent a lumpectomy, successfully removing the cancerous tissue from her breast. It’s important to note that the diagnosis included a cluster of precancerous cells, which only progresses to aggressive cancer in about 5% of cases if left untreated. After consulting numerous doctors, she chose to prioritize her own beliefs and adopted a natural health regimen post-surgery. While some medical professionals disagreed with her decision, she felt compelled to stay true to her convictions.
The rationale was that if any precancerous cells remained, her rigorous health regimen would enhance her immune system's ability to combat the remaining cancer. Importantly, she did not rule out pursuing conventional medical treatments in the future should her situation change.
Our Immune System and Cancer
Every day, our immune systems work diligently to eliminate cancer cells. According to Professor Tim Elliott, an immunologist at the University of Southampton, “Our immune system does attack cancer cells, recognizing and destroying small cancers as they form. Without our immune defenses, we would experience a much higher incidence of cancer.”
Yet, in an environment filled with carcinogens, our natural defenses have limitations. Professor Elliott explains, “Once cancer cells begin to grow and mutate, they develop clever methods to evade detection by our immune system.” This is the stage when treatments become necessary, which is what prompted the lumpectomy for MacPherson. However, it remained uncertain whether the entire cancerous tissue had been eradicated.
My Husband’s Experience with Prostate Cancer
My husband has been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, and we have opted for a natural approach to managing his condition. Given the minimal size and early stage of his cancer, medical professionals advised against aggressive treatment, suggesting that the risks of treatment might outweigh the benefits since it’s a slow-growing type.
Together, we committed to a health-focused lifestyle to potentially strengthen his immune system. We are not rejecting medical treatment but are instead taking charge of his health proactively, which feels essential in the face of such a daunting illness.
We adopted an 80% raw vegan diet, supplemented with powerful nutritional aids inspired by Michael Gearin-Tosh's successful application of Gerson Therapy for cancer. Additionally, we engage in sauna detox sessions twice a week and strive to eliminate toxic substances from our home environment.
The results have been encouraging. His latest MRI revealed that the tumor was undetectable, and while a recent biopsy showed some malignant cells, their numbers are so minimal that they are no longer visible. Doctors remain optimistic and continue to monitor his progress.
Fortunately, this lifestyle change has been quite manageable; I enjoy raw foods more than cooked ones, and we were already leaning towards veganism before we learned about his diagnosis.
MacPherson’s routine mirrors ours in many respects, incorporating:
- Meditation
- Nature exposure
- Gratitude practices
- Restful sleep
- Plant-based nutrition
- Physical activity
- Sauna and cold plunge therapy
We share the physical activities and sauna sessions, focus on plant-based foods, and spend time outdoors, though we are still working towards achieving consistent restful sleep and increased meditation practice.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that despite her healthy lifestyle, MacPherson still faced cancer. Her holistic healing practices were implemented after the surgical removal of her cancerous cells, during her eight-month recovery in Arizona under medical supervision. The surgery likely removed all malignant cells, making her holistic regimen more of a restorative journey.
For many, chemotherapy and radiation remain critical, especially for aggressive or advanced cancers. These treatments have a proven track record in effectively combating cancer and can be life-saving. Decisions about treatment are largely influenced by individual circumstances.
In our case, we aren't currently offered treatment options, so adopting a natural approach has presented no risks and plenty of potential benefits. MacPherson was also in the early stages of a precancerous condition and chose to explore whether surgery combined with her holistic methods would yield favorable outcomes. Both of us had the time to experiment with our health strategies.
Unfortunately, countless individuals battling cancer do not have the luxury of time for experimentation and often face far more serious prognoses than either my husband or Elle MacPherson.
I am grateful that we have the opportunity to explore various options. Should circumstances shift and medical intervention become necessary, we will likely heed our doctor's advice, but we remain determined to maximize our health naturally to minimize that possibility.
Elle's upcoming book promises to delve deeper into her cancer journey and holistic health strategies, and I’m eager to read it.
© Susie Kearley 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Sources: Metro, Daily Mail, Independent, Cancer Research UK, Michael Gearin-Tosh, Gerson Therapy.