Married At First Sight expert and chemotherapy survivor Mel Schilling hits back at Elle Macpherson after she revealed controversial 'holistic' cancer treatment

Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has hit back at Elle Macpherson's controversial claim that she treated her cancer diagnosis 'holistically.'

Schilling, 52, who is receiving chemotherapy treatment as she continues to battle colon cancer, slammed Elle after she claimed she successfully beat breast cancer by rejecting conventional medicine and adopting an alternative 'holistic' approach.

'I'm having some thoughts about Elle and the interviews she is doing lately, as a relatively new member of the cancer community and as someone who has just completed six months of chemo,' Mel said in a video shared to Instagram.

'Elle revealed several years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer and saw more than 32 doctors, who advised her to have a combination of chemo, radio and hormone therapy.'

'She chose not to do that and chose a more holistic, wellness approach, which included things like prayer, meditation and so on.'

Mel added she took issue with Elle promoting the alternative medicine approach to cancer treatment over the proven medicinal approach, as it could lead to others doing the same.

'I have a problem with Elle Macpherson as a high-profile role model, a woman we aspire to, who is selling products.'

'So, for me this message she is peddling is plagued with judgement, arrogance, superiority and privilege. It concerns me.'

She finished her post by saying that Elle should be more cautious about what message she sends out to 'vulnerable' cancer sufferers.

'My greatest concern is people will listen to her and then choose not to take the medical route and could be in danger.'

 Earlier this week, the Australian supermodel revealed in her upcoming memoir, Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself, that she took a holistic approach to her illness - going against the advice of doctors and the wishes of her family. 

Speaking to Women's Weekly about her diagnosis, she admitted: 'It was a shock, it was unexpected, confusing, daunting. It gave me an opportunity to dig deep in my inner sense to find a solution that worked for me.'

After undergoing a lumpectomy seven years ago, the WelleCo founder was diagnosed with HER2 positive oestrogen receptive intraductal carcinoma - a type of breast cancer.

Doctors advised Elle undergo a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and the reconstruction of her breast.

However, Elle decided against traditional medicine, saying it was 'a wonderful exercise in being true to myself, trusting myself and the nature of my body and the course of action I chose.'

Elle said she prayed and meditated on a beach in Miami and concluded she didn't want to treat her cancer with pharmaceuticals, but rather 'an intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach.'

'Saying no to standard medical solutions was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. But saying no to my own inner sense would have been even harder,' she explained, adding she thought chemotherapy and surgery were too 'extreme'.

The model, who was known as The Body in her heyday, said 'people thought I was crazy' when she forged ahead with a treatment plan that 'resonated' with her, 'addressing emotional as well as physical factors associated with breast cancer'. 

Elle revealed she rented a house in Arizona for eight months where she 'holistically treated' her cancer under the guidance of her primary doctor, a doctor of naturopathy, holistic dentist, osteopath, chiropractor and two therapists.

Meanwhile, Mel Schilling recently provided fans with an uplifting update on her health as she returned to Sydney to film the 2025 series of MAFS.

Taking to Instagram, Mel shared her excitement about being back in Bondi Beach, where she will be living for the next couple of months.

The TV personality, who recently moved back from the UK, opened up about how she's focusing on her health and recovery after her recent colon cancer battle.