Angie Best, the 73-year-old ex-wife of Manchester United legend George Best, has announced she will undergo major surgery as part of her treatment for colon cancer. Best revealed her diagnosis in January and has been undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy and mistletoe therapy, a complementary treatment used in some European countries.
In a recent update shared via Instagram, Best detailed the upcoming procedure where a portion of her colon will be removed. "So on Thursday I go in for an operation where they cut out the part of my colon that… needs to be cut out," she stated. She described the experience as "nerve-wracking" and acknowledged the significant mental and physical toll the battle has taken. "It's very debilitating mentally as much as it is physically, all this stuff. But there's a lesson there, I suppose. I've just gotta learn it," she added.
Best also shared her struggle with hair loss, a common side effect of chemotherapy. She recently visited a salon to style her remaining hair, humorously noting she had "15 hairs." Hair loss typically begins 14 to 21 days after the first chemotherapy treatment.
Earlier this year, Best’s son, TV personality Calum Best, revealed his mother's diagnosis, stating that the colon cancer had spread to her liver. He noted the financial strain of her specialist treatment, leading him to set up a GoFundMe page to help cover costs.
Despite the challenges, Best received positive news from her oncologist, who indicated that her treatment had been effective. "I went to see my oncologist yesterday and he said, 'Ange, you've done amazing. In four sessions we've got rid of 80 per cent of your cancer which is phenomenal,'" she reported. However, she was informed she would need an additional four sessions. Best expressed her hope for a complete recovery, saying, "I was hoping I'd walk in and he'd say, 'Ange, it's all gone, you're cancer free.'"
Best has been open about her experience, thanking her followers for their support and reflecting on the humbling nature of her illness. She also mentioned difficulties with weight gain, noting that her healthy diet was not conducive to the weight she needed to gain for further treatment. She has been undergoing mistletoe therapy, which practitioners suggest can stimulate the immune system and mitigate treatment side effects.
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the large bowel and typically develops from polyps. Symptoms can include bleeding, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Risk factors include age over 50, family history, inflammatory bowel disease, and lifestyle choices. While early-stage bowel cancer has a high survival rate, the majority of cases are diagnosed after the disease has spread, decreasing the chances of a cure.