Former Hollyoaks and BBC Strictly star Ali Bastian has bravely shared the news that she’s been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.
The actress, who currently lives in rural Ireland after ditching life in London, sought medical attention after discovering a lump while breastfeeding.
Bastian is the mum of two young daughters and was initially told she may have had a blocked duct while attempting to breastfeed.
The actress took to Instagram to share the news with her followers, writing: “I have some news I wanted to share with you…”
Bastian then included a link to an interview conducted with OK! Magazine in which she delved into her diagnosis.
After branding the diagnosis a “total shock”, Bastian added: “I have mornings when I wake up and I’ve forgotten… and then suddenly I remember. I’m still trying to process it.”
Bastian was breastfeeding daughter Isabella, who is 19 months old, when she knew there was a problem.
“I hadn’t been breastfeeding Izzy at night but then David flew back to London for work and suddenly she was feeding like crazy. I was thinking, ‘Maybe she’s having a growth spurt or something.’
“And because of that, my boobs felt sore. The next morning I woke up and thought, ‘Ouch, this really hurts.’ And that’s when I felt a lump,” she explained.
After being told it may have been a blocked duct, Bastian was prescribed antibiotics in the hopes the pain would diminish.
Channel 4 Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian was a regular on the soap in the 2000s
PA
Bastian returned and insisted she attend the breast clinic, to which she says her GP was supportive of.
Soon after, she was informed of the diagnosis and further tests revealed the cancer was hormone-driven.
This has prompted an investigation by doctors into whether or not the cancer is genetic given both Bastian’s aunt and grandmother on her maternal side had breast cancer.
Bastian has already begun five months worth of chemotherapy treatment and the measures don’t stop there.
She explained: “The multidisciplinary team decided what order I should have my chemotherapy and operation
“I’ve asked if they would consider a double mastectomy as a preventative measure and they would, but it’s not been fully discussed yet.”
Bastian is set to undergo a single mastectomy and radiotherapy treatment on top of her chemo.
Bastian shot to fame after playing the character of Becca Dean on the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks from 2001 to 2007.
She also took part in the 2009 series of Strictly Come Dancing with pro partner Brian Fortuna.
Bastian and Fortuna made it all the way to the show’s semi-final.