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Angie Best has issued her latest health update while undergoing a second round of chemotherapy in her battle with colon cancer.
The ex-wife of late Manchester United legend George Best and mother of TV personality Calum Best has travelled to Switzerland for an unconventional cancer treatment known as mistletoe therapy - so called because it uses extracts from the European mistletoe plant.
Angie, 73, has subsequently shared a series of medical updates from her Swiss hospital, among them a morning affirmation to her body as she deals with the after-effects of chemo.
Sharing a video of her personal pick-me-up message with Instagram followers on Wednesday, she said: 'Thank you for fighting this battle with me, to show I'm grateful, and to ask for more help in gaining weight, because if I don't gain weight I have to drink this chemical food that they want me to drink and it doesn't sit well with me at all.
'I'd prefer to do it the natural way, which to me seems right, but it's all a battle, it is all a battle homies, but it's not one we can't win, and we will win.
'And if you're fighting any battles out there today homies, just know, this too will pass, and you will win, and we will win. I love you, homies.'
Angie Best has issued her latest health update while undergoing a second round of chemotherapy in her battle with colon cancer
Angie, 73, has subsequently shared a series of medical updates from hospital, among them a morning affirmation to her body as she deals with the after-effects of chemo
Mistletoe therapy is an alternative cancer treatment that has been used in Europe for decades, particularly in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Some practitioners believe it can stimulate the immune system and improve quality of life for cancer patients, though its effectiveness remains debated in mainstream medicine.
It is not a standard, approved cancer treatment on the NHS, as robust evidence of its effectiveness as a cure is considered inconclusive by major UK cancer bodies.
It can be used alongside chemotherapy, which is what Angie is currently doing.
Former Celebrity Big Brother star Calum, Angie's only son, revealed his mother's diagnosis in a devastating video posted to social media in January.
In the clip, the clearly distressed star said: '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.
'She has always believed in taking care of the body, mind and soul. But as we all know, cancer doesn't discriminate.
'It doesn't care where you're from, how you live, or how healthy you try to be. And now, it's here – and it's with my mum.'
The ex-wife of late Manchester United legend George Best has travelled to Switzerland for an unconventional cancer treatment known as mistletoe therapy
COLON CANCER: WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?
Bowel, or colorectal, cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum.
Such tumors usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps.
Symptoms include:
- Bleeding from the bottom
- Blood in stools
- A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme, unexplained tiredness
- Abdominal pain
Most cases have no clear cause, however, people are more at risk if they:
- Are over 50
- Have a family history of the condition
- Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel
- Suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease
- Lead an unhealthy lifestyle
Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy.
More than nine out of ten people with stage 1 bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis.
Unfortunately, only around a third of all colorectal cancers are diagnosed at this early stage.
The majority of people come to the doctor when the disease has spread beyond the wall of the colon or rectum or to distant parts of the body, which decreasing the chance of being successfully cured of colon cancer.
According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.
It affects around 40 per 100,000 adults per year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Former Celebrity Big Brother star Calum, Angie's only son, revealed his mother's diagnosis in a devastating video posted to social media in January (pictured with his mother in 2016)
Calum admitted he 'hasn't cried in years' but has been on an 'emotional rollercoaster' since his mother's diagnosis.
'My mum has been diagnosed with colon cancer that has spread to her liver,' he explained.
'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 set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of his mother's specialist treatment, saying: 'Any contribution, no matter how small, will help us access the specialists, treatment and care my mum needs during this time.'
English (US) ·