Illness is never easy to deal with, and sometimes it seems to strike harder those who appear to have it all. On Wednesday, veteran Cantonese opera star Alex Law Kar-ying revealed that he had been diagnosed with intestinal cancer.

Law - who is active in Hong Kong and mainland showbiz and was named the best supporting actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 1996 - said he had suffered severe stomach pains since late November. Law said he had surgery to remove the tumour about a month ago. He is now taking western medicine and practising Wing Chun, a form of Chinese martial arts, to help improve his health.

'I was diagnosed with phase three of intestinal cancer. Before many good friends passed away [because of cancer],' Law told The Oriental Daily. 'And this happens to me now.'