Former Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian has spoken out about the harsh side effects of medication she must take after beating breast cancer. The actress, who played Becca Dean on the soap, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2024 after initially mistaking a lump for a blocked milk duct.
Bastian underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy, and in March 2025 she announced she was cancer-free. However, she continues to take medication to prevent recurrence, which she describes as 'brutal'. She told The Sun: 'It's so brutal... You're so grateful it exists, but at the same time it really takes its toll on your body, your mind, everything.'
The 43-year-old said cancer 'affects every facet of your life', including your identity. She felt 'more broken down' than ever after finishing chemo and the mastectomy, and began questioning who she was because she felt 'completely stripped back'.
Bastian has previously discussed the possibility of reconstructive surgery but now uses a bright pink prosthetic that she says makes her feel 'normal' in clothes. She told Giovanna Fletcher on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast: 'I quite like that it doesn't look like a chicken fillet... It's something that I could show the kids as well because it's so visually appealing.'
She added that she is 'still under construction' and healing. Bastian's mother died in 2023, and she wrote on social media that she attempted to put grief on hold during treatment but found it came in waves. She urged herself to 'go gently' while navigating life after cancer.
