Ali Bastian, known for her role as Becca Dean in Hollyoaks, has revealed her diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer.
The 42-year-old actress discovered a lump while breastfeeding her youngest daughter, Izzy, and sought medical advice immediately.
Initially suspecting mastitis, a common issue during breastfeeding, Bastian was prescribed antibiotics.
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However, when her symptoms persisted, she went to her GP and was referred to a breast clinic where the diagnosis was confirmed in June.
Bastian, who relocated to West Cork, Ireland, earlier this year with her husband David O’Mahony and their two daughters, Isla and Izzy, shared her emotional journey in an interview with OK! magazine.
She described the experience as a “total shock,” admitting that she still has moments where she briefly forgets before reality hits her again.
The actress is currently undergoing chemotherapy and will soon face a mastectomy followed by radiotherapy.
She also reflected on the difficulty of processing such a life-changing diagnosis, explaining how she’s had to develop trust in her medical team and the treatment plan.
Bastian opened up about the challenges of dealing with the diagnosis while caring for her young children, especially Izzy, who was 19 months old when she noticed the lump.
The actress initially assumed her discomfort was related to her daughter’s intense feeding patterns but quickly realized something more serious was going on.
She shared how difficult it was to navigate the uncertainty following the diagnosis, emphasizing that trusting the medical process has been a daily task.
She also touched on her family’s history of breast cancer, noting that both her maternal aunt and grandmother had faced the disease.
While the diagnosis has been tough, Bastian has received support from her former Hollyoaks co-stars, including Sarah Jayne Dunn, Carley Stenson, and Jodi Albert.
She admitted that her diagnosis has sparked a desire to return to acting, saying that she misses the connection with other actors on set.
Despite her personal battle, Bastian is mindful of not wanting to alarm other new mothers, but she does encourage vigilance as breast cancer can be harder to diagnose during breastfeeding due to changes in breast tissue.
The actress is determined to stay positive, reminding herself to trust the process and have faith in her recovery.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and stage 2 refers to cases where the cancer is either confined to the breast or has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Bastian’s diagnosis is a stark reminder of the importance of early detection and staying in tune with one’s body, even during the busy and stressful early stages of motherhood.
Bastian first rose to prominence with her role on Hollyoaks between 2001 and 2007, with her character Becca famously embroiled in a controversial storyline that saw her dismissed from teaching and sent to prison.
Since leaving the soap, she has appeared in shows like The Bill, A Touch Of Frost, and Cavegirl, and was a semi-finalist on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
In more recent years, she joined the cast of Doctors and, after marrying O’Mahony in 2019, decided to step back from acting to focus on starting a family.
Despite the challenges ahead, Bastian remains hopeful and focused on her recovery, leaning on her loved ones and friends for support.
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