Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer

Ali Bastian, known for her role as Becca Dean in Hollyoaks, has revealed her diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer. The actress, 42, discovered a lump while breastfeeding her 19-month-old daughter, Izzy. In an interview with OK! magazine, Bastian described the diagnosis as "a total shock," saying, "I have mornings when I wake up and I've forgotten... and then suddenly I remember. I'm still trying to process it."

After initially believing the lump was mastitis, Bastian visited her GP, who recommended she attend a breast clinic for further checks. She expressed that the period after diagnosis was challenging, explaining, "There's a really tough time in which you have the diagnosis but you're not sure what will happen next." She emphasized the importance of trust in her medical team.

Bastian, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy ahead of a mastectomy and radiotherapy, also shared that her Hollyoaks co-stars, including Sarah Jayne Dunn and Carley Stenson, have offered support. The actress, whose maternal aunt and grandmother also had breast cancer, noted the difficulty of diagnosing the condition in breastfeeding women, as the tissue can feel different.