Angie Best, 74, is set to undergo two upcoming operations on her liver, despite having recently been declared cancer-free. The former model, who is the ex-wife of the late footballer George Best, had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in January, with the disease having spread to her liver.
Best pursued an unconventional treatment in Switzerland involving mistletoe therapy, a process that utilizes extracts from the European mistletoe plant and can be used alongside traditional chemotherapy. She combined this with homeopathic remedies in an effort to shrink a 30cm tumor in her colon. Her son, Calum Best, had previously shared a positive update indicating no remaining cancer in her liver.
However, Best revealed on Instagram that the cancer cells that had metastasized from her colon to her liver must still be removed. She stated that there are small growths on the left side of her liver and larger ones on the right, necessitating two procedures. "I played down the liver ops but will update what they are later," she posted.
Earlier, Best had undergone surgery to remove the cancer from her colon, which she announced was successful. In a video shared on Instagram, she described the process of having a laparoscopy to remove the remaining cancer after chemotherapy and immunotherapy had significantly shrunk the tumor. She explained the post-operative recovery, including dietary restrictions and the waiting period before being discharged from the hospital.
"I'm so happy because now I can officially say with gratitude and love that I am cancer free and healing," Best stated. "All I've got to do now is get better. I've got to heal and I can do that."
She mentioned that due to the major surgery, she had to remain in the hospital for eight days to heal before returning home. She expressed a desire to "reinvent myself at the ripe old age of 74."
In January, Calum Best disclosed his mother's diagnosis, describing it as a "devastating video." He explained that his mother, who had always prioritized health and fitness, was diagnosed with colon cancer that had spread to her liver. He noted the emotional toll of her illness and set up a GoFundMe page to help cover treatment costs.
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the large bowel. Symptoms can include bleeding, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, tiredness, and abdominal pain. Risk factors include age, family history, inflammatory bowel disease, and lifestyle. Treatment typically involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Survival rates vary significantly based on the stage at diagnosis, with early detection offering a much higher chance of successful treatment.