Television personality Calum Best has delivered an emotional public health warning after his mother, Angie Best, received a late-stage colon cancer diagnosis following a critical delay in seeking conventional medical treatment.
Heartbreaking Revelation on Morning Television
During a poignant appearance on Good Morning Britain, the 44-year-old son of football legend George Best shared the distressing details of his mother's health journey. He revealed that the 73-year-old wellness advocate was diagnosed with colon cancer that had already metastasised to her liver, a situation he described as being discovered "quite late" in its progression.
A Fateful Decision to Pursue Alternative Routes
Calum explained that his mother, who takes great pride in her healthy lifestyle and wellness knowledge, initially resisted conventional medical consultation when experiencing symptoms. "She didn't want to believe it could be the case," he recounted emotionally. "She prides herself in being so healthy, so sharing of wellness that it wouldn't happen to her."
Instead of visiting a doctor, Angie consulted a homeopath who misdiagnosed her symptoms as Lyme disease. "Respectfully, something wasn't seen," Calum stated carefully, adding that she then pursued herbal treatments and tinctures that failed to improve her condition.
The Critical Turning Point
After persistent urging from her concerned son, Angie finally agreed to see a medical professional. The subsequent examination revealed a substantial 30cm tumour in her colon. "I think we found it quite late," Calum admitted. "Even then, my mum wanted to go down this alternative route and you reach this point where you have to trust the medical professionals and the advice of doctors."
He described reaching a compromise with his mother, suggesting they "trust in the medical doctors in what they can do and alongside it do your remedies as well."
Current Treatment and Emotional Toll
Angie Best is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Zurich, where she shared a vulnerable update from her hospital bed last week. Her message read: "Trying to fake a smile, didn't realise how sick I was, couldn't wait so in Switzerland for chemo with Mistletoe, a sincere heartfelt thank you to you my Homies for your kindness."
Calum revealed the treatment has been physically gruelling, saying his mother has been "wiped" out by the chemotherapy, though he praised her resilience by describing her as "a trooper."
A Personal Health Crisis Echoing Family History
The situation carries particular emotional weight for Calum, whose father George Best died in 2005 at age 59 following health complications related to alcoholism. "There's a lot going on internally," he confessed. "On a personal level, work keeps me sane, fitness keeps me sane. I did all I could about the other parent and now I'll do all I can about this parent."
He described the experience of seeing another parent face a serious health crisis as "all-consuming," highlighting the profound personal impact beyond the public health message.
Universal Health Message
Through his emotional disclosure, Calum emphasised that serious illness can affect anyone regardless of lifestyle. "She's spread health and wellness her whole life," he said of his mother. "It just shows it doesn't matter what you do and how you do it, it can affect anybody."
His appearance served as a heartfelt plea to viewers, urging them not to delay medical consultation when experiencing concerning symptoms and to balance alternative approaches with conventional medical advice.
