Is Elle Macpherson’s moniker; originated by Time Magazine in 1989. It was probably how most people thought of her, until earlier this week, when it was revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and chose not to undergo the mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy to said Body, as advised by a team of doctors.
Members of the press have been vitriolic: Headlines citing her ‘junk cures for cancer’ and discussing how she: ‘refused chemotherapy after secret breast cancer diagnosis ‘against advice of 32 doctors’.’
Others have different viewpoints: The NY Post ‘saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.’ And The Daily Mail ‘She ‘holistically treated’ her cancer under the guidance of her primary doctor, a doctor of naturopathy, holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor and two therapists.’
What does she have to say? ‘I am stronger than I imagined’ she is quoted on the cover of this week’s Women’s Weekly. ‘It’s not about giving advice to others,’ she says in the article.
Her strength is currently being tested, that’s for sure. Elle’s book was released in Australia and the US this week, we have to wait until November in the UK and then we’ll get to read the complete story. Maybe then we’ll get to know what she went through.
Sign up link here for a timely, free 10 part series featuring lots of familiar doctors, nutritionists and naturopaths who feature on our cancer resource.
Congratulations to twins Lina and Laviai Nielsen who have just won bronze medals at the Paris Olympics. But why are we featuring them here? Well, they both have MS (Multiple Sclerosis). They are interviewed here by Matthew Embry, another MS thriver, who met them in 2022. You can find more about his inspiring work at MS Hope, which is featured on our site. Talk about being strong…
This…. Susan Cain joined our Healthy Mind resource this week.
Another strong lady.
Time Magazine published this headline one afternoon last week and another furore broke out:
The following day the same article had it’s headline changed to this:
Whilst featuring in it’s library this article:
With lots of research conducted reaching similar conclusions it’s really no wonder we’re confused.
You can find more from Medical News Today on our Healthy Body resource.
Zero ultra-processing for lunch following that saga!
Home-made hummus:
1 x 400g jar of chickpeas – juice of 1 lemon – cumin to taste – 1 tsp of tahini (sesame seed paste) – 1 clove garlic – water from chickpea jar or olive oil to taste – salt and pepper. Sprinkled with paprika and a little olive oil.
That’s it. Delicious
Pablo and Hilda don’t eat ultra-processed food either. Great article from the BBC; on their community in the Amazon, their health, their lifestyle. They have little diabetes or heart issues as a result and zero cases of Alzheimer’s. The same year as ‘The Body’ was diagnosed with cancer this article appeared in The Lancet, confirming their community’s health.
As the rainforest is being destroyed, the animals are becoming scarcer and processed foods are arriving by boat to help feed the community. It’s beginning to leave its mark sadly.
As for Hilda: ‘I’m not afraid of dying,’ she says with a laugh, ‘because they’re going to bury me and I’m going to stay there… very still.’
Bless her – another strong woman.
Maybe it’s not an inevitable as we have been led to believe, but yes, growing up is definitely optional! Card by Rosie Made a Thing.
Someone has their foot (one of them) on my laptop, laughing at the lemon grass I’d put on my legs to stop insect bites whilst working outside this week. Morning juice, sunshine and a new friend. What’s not to like?
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