4 hours Ago By [email protected] (Bang Showbiz, Peter Hart)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian has opened up about her fears of losing her "identity" due to hair loss during her cancer treatment.
The 42 year old, known for her role as Becca Dean on the Channel 4 soap from 2001 to 2007, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in June and shared with The Sun's Fabulous magazine how tough losing her hair has been. She confessed: "I trot around with a bald head all the time at home. But I'd had this fear that becoming bald from chemo was me 'becoming' a cancer patient, and that was all anyone would see.
I thought it would be like losing my identity. " She added, "It frightened me that something which had previously been invisible would now be very visible. The hair loss from chemo is like an outward expression of how raw you feel inside.
But losing your hair is a small price to pay to be well." Ali initially received reassurance from doctors who thought the lump in her breast was just a blocked duct from breastfeeding her daughter Izzy, 22. Expressing her relief, she said: "I’m so relieved I found the lump when I did.
" She then had to share the sad news with her young daughter, Isla . She stressed the importance of breast checks even during pregnancy and breastfeeding, urging: "If there’s anything that doesn’t feel right, get it checked. I’ll do anything I can to raise awareness for women to check their breasts.
" Ali, who also shares four year old Isla with husband David O'Mahony, is determined to encourage other women to be vigilant about their health..
