Soap Star Ali Bastian Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

British Soap star Ali Bastian has revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Bastian who starred in Hollyoaks and The Bill, confirmed that she has been undergoing chemotherapy, and is set to have radiotherapy and a mastectomy. 

Speaking to OK! magazine, Ali Bastian said she received the news back in June, having found a lump while breastfeeding her daughter, Isabella. 

Saying that "it was a total shock" to be told this, Ali Bastian revealed that she is "still trying to process it". 

"I have mornings when I wake up and I've forgotten… and then suddenly I remember. I’m still trying to process it", the actress revealed to the outlet. 

Ali Bastian had moved to West Cork with her family, including writer, actor and director husband David O'Mahony. She said that she grew concerned when her daughter was feeding "like crazy" and she felt her breast hurting. 

"It really seemed like I had mastitis, especially as I had been night-weaning Izzy before that. We thought I probably had a blocked duct. The doctor gave me antibiotics and said that if it didn’t clear up in a few days I should go to the breast clinic", Bastian explained. 

"But it wasn’t clearing up and the more I felt it, the more it felt like this wasn’t just a blocked duct. I went to my GP and I said, 'Actually, can I go to the clinic now?’ and she was very supportive of that". 

"really tough time"

On her diagnosis, Ali Bastian said that there is a "really tough time in which you have the diagnosis but you’re not sure what will happen next".

"For me that’s where the difficult journey with trust came in. It’s not something that always comes naturally to me – so I have to remind myself daily to trust in my team, trust in the plan and trust it will all be OK", she said. 

Support

Elsewhere, Ali Bastian thanked fellow co-stars Sarah Jayne Dunn, Jodi Albert and Carley Stenson for their support.

She explained: "After my diagnosis, I went on Instagram and saw a post by my friend Dominic Power, my former co-star in The Bill, and I could see he was on set in Hollyoaks. I suddenly had a real pang of, ‘I want to look into an actor’s eyes and do a scene’.. I really miss it". 

The actress also stated that she does not want to "frighten new mums", but the condition can be "trickier to diagnose" as the tissue "just feels different anyway". 

Stage 2 breast cancer has been described as an early form of the condition, which means it is located either in the breast or in the nearby lymph nodes or both, according to Cancer Research UK.

Louise Grimsdell, who is a senior clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, said that Ali Bastian's diagnosis: "highlights the importance of being breast aware throughout all stages of a woman’s life".

"It is important to be aware of any new or unusual changes to your breasts when you’re breastfeeding. Breast changes are common during and after pregnancy. If you notice any changes, it’s important to talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor. Breast cancer is uncommon in younger women", she said. 

"Caring for a new baby while having treatment for breast cancer can be both physically and emotionally demanding," she also said, and added that the charity has "tailored information and support for younger women with breast cancer". 

Ali Bastian married her husband David O'Mahony in 2019. They share two daughters together, Isla Rose, and Isabella Charlotte.