Angie Best has publicly disclosed that she currently weighs only 7 stone and urgently needs to increase her body weight to proceed with her chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer. The 73-year-old former wife of the late Manchester United football legend George Best, and mother of television personality Calum Best, shocked her followers last month when she first announced her cancer diagnosis.
Unconventional Treatment in Switzerland
Since revealing her condition, Angie has traveled to Switzerland to undergo an alternative cancer treatment known as mistletoe therapy. This unconventional approach utilizes extracts from the European mistletoe plant and is particularly popular in several European nations including Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
The Weight Gain Challenge
In a video shared on Tuesday, Angie explained her current predicament regarding weight management. 'I'm having my mistletoe treatment today. I have to say, this being sick, it's a very humbling experience,' she confessed. 'It makes you second guess everything. I'm trying to eat healthy because I've got to gain weight because I weigh 46 kilos and with the next two rounds of chemo, I need more weight.'
The former model elaborated on the dietary dilemma she faces: 'But the problem is, I'm trying to eat healthy so I've now got to go and eat, not quite so healthy. I'm sure I'll think of something.' Her struggle highlights the complex nutritional challenges many cancer patients encounter during treatment.
Family Support and Public Appeal
Angie's son Calum Best, who gained fame through Celebrity Big Brother, first revealed his mother's diagnosis in an emotional social media video posted in January. In the clip, the visibly distressed television personality shared: 'A few weeks ago, my beautiful, wonderful mum was diagnosed with cancer. For as long as I can remember, she has lived her life rooted in health, fitness and wellbeing.'
Calum continued with heartbreaking honesty: 'My mum has been diagnosed with colon cancer that has spread to her liver. To move forward, we need access to specialist care and professionals who can offer the right treatment. This is incredibly hard for me to say, but financially, I can't carry this on my own.'
The reality star subsequently established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the substantial costs associated with his mother's specialized medical care. He appealed to the public: 'Any contribution, no matter how small, will help us access the specialists, treatment and care my mum needs during this time.'
Understanding Mistletoe Therapy
Mistletoe treatment represents an alternative cancer approach that has been utilized in Europe for several decades. Some medical practitioners believe it can potentially stimulate the immune system and enhance quality of life for cancer patients. However, its effectiveness remains a subject of debate within mainstream medical communities.
Important considerations regarding mistletoe therapy include:
- It is not a standard, approved cancer treatment within the NHS
- Major UK cancer organizations consider robust evidence of its curative effectiveness inconclusive
- The treatment can be administered alongside conventional chemotherapy, which is Angie's current approach
In a caption accompanying her recent video, Angie explained her perspective on the treatment: 'Today I'm having Mistletoe therapy, it stimulates your immune system and mitigates side effects of Chemo and radiation like pain nausea and fatigue.' Her son Calum responded to the post with a simple yet powerful message: 'I love you.'
Colon Cancer: Essential Information
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the large bowel comprising the colon and rectum. These malignancies typically develop from pre-cancerous growths called polyps.
Key warning signs of colon cancer include:
- Bleeding from the bottom or blood in stools
- A persistent change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme, unexplained fatigue
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
Risk factors for developing colon cancer:
- Being over 50 years of age
- Having a family history of the condition
- Previous personal history of bowel polyps
- Suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease
- Maintaining an unhealthy lifestyle
Standard treatment typically involves surgical intervention combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Statistical data reveals that more than 90% of individuals diagnosed with stage 1 bowel cancer survive five years or longer following their diagnosis. However, only approximately one-third of all colorectal cancers are detected at this early, more treatable stage.
According to Bowel Cancer UK statistics, more than 41,200 people receive a bowel cancer diagnosis annually in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the National Cancer Institute reports that colon cancer affects approximately 40 per 100,000 adults each year.
