Former Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian has spoken candidly about the physical and emotional aftermath of her breast cancer journey, sharing that her body is still “under construction” as she continues to heal.
The 42-year-old actress, who underwent a mastectomy and intense chemotherapy following a stage two breast cancer diagnosis, revealed she’s now cancer-free — but the road to recovery is far from over. Speaking on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, Ali opened up about her hesitation around reconstructive surgery, saying she’s currently exploring her options.
She discovered the cancer after mistaking a lump for a blocked milk duct while breastfeeding her daughter. Although she initially believed she would go ahead with reconstruction, Ali admitted that she’s no longer sure. “I’m not married to any of the options,” she confessed.
The mum-of-two also shared the challenge of living with a noticeable hernia from childbirth, which she’s been carrying for five years. “It’s like a tennis ball. That needs to go now,” she said, describing it as even harder to hide than her mastectomy.
Ali credited a bright pink prosthetic with helping her feel more like herself, even calling it “visually appealing” enough to show her kids. She said, “It doesn’t look like a chicken fillet or a pretend boob. It makes me happy.”
Adding to her emotional burden, Ali also recently revealed the death of her mother, who passed away just months before her cancer diagnosis in 2023. In a touching tribute, she spoke of her grief, which she had to set aside during treatment. “Grief now comes in waves… I hope we’re making you proud,” she wrote.
