Soap actress Ali Bastian has said she is “free from cancer” following a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
The 43-year-old announced last year that she had been diagnosed with stage two breast cancer after finding a lump while breastfeeding her daughter.
Bastian has now told her Instagram followers she is on her “final week of radiotherapy which should mark the end my active treatment”, as part of a post thanking supporters for their birthday messages.
She added: “I had my mastectomy in January which was thankfully a success and has healed really well, it proved that my chemo had worked. As I sit here right now, I’m free from cancer. I can’t even believe it.”
Bastian has appeared in Hollyoaks, Doctors and The Bill, and was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
The British star, who lives in Ireland with her husband David O’Mahony, also thanked the nurses and consultants at Cork University Hospital.
‘This feels unreal’
She said the staff had given her “compassion, time and space to share and talk about my experience of a very challenging treatment pathway”, which she called “an awful lot to process mentally and emotionally”.
“To be coming out of the other side of this feels unreal, after the shock of a diagnosis it’s hard to let in the light and believe that it might just be OK,” she added.
“The road back to my life won’t be a linear one… and I will share with you as always, as much of my truth of this experience as I can. I am so, so grateful for all of your support.
“People with cancer, experiencing cancer treatment need love. Full stop. Unconditional, arms around you love and support. I’ve really felt that from you all, also in my day to day life… from the most unexpected of places. When it’s dark, look for stars.”
According to Cancer Research UK, stage two breast cancer is an early form of the condition and can mean the disease is either in the breast or in the nearby lymph nodes, or both.
How do I check for breast cancer symptoms?
The first noticeable symptom of breast cancer is often lump or an area of thickened tissue.
Most lumps are not cancerous, but it’s always best to get a medical check. What to look for:
- A new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast
- A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- A discharge of fluid from the nipple
- A lump or swelling in either of the armpits
- A change in the look or feel of the skin, like puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness
- A rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around the nipple
- A change in nipple appearance, such as becoming sunken into your breast
