Actress and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ali Bastian has opened up on the trauma that being diagnosed with cancer has brought her. The 44-year-old soap star was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer after discovering a lump while breastfeeding her daughter.

Following an active treatment pathway of chemotherapy, a successful mastectomy, and radiotherapy, she announced she was cancer-free in March 2025 and continues her recovery. However, on Sunday, Ali shared that she is currently waiting on the results of her annual mammogram and it has brought up a whole variety of feelings. Posting a selfie to Instagram, she shared: "Had my annual mammogram on my remaining side this week. Still awaiting my results, hoping no news is good news. Two years since my diagnosis."

She went on: "This photo is from the breast clinic… honestly, on the way to the clinic a voice in my head was saying, ‘just don’t go… drive to the beach… f**k it…. Drive to the airport and get on a plane!’ Anything other than going back to that place…

"But I went, they were kind, I told them how anxious being back there made me feel. How much trauma it stirs up in me that can take days to unravel. But I went, we have to go… have to go to the check ups, that’s part of the deal."

The TV star continued to tell fans that she had some bad news while she attended the hospital. "I found out that my reconstruction won’t be until next year which felt like a blow," she shared.

"It’s a big op though as I’m having my hernia sorted at the same time so at least I have a few more months to physically and mentally prepare and figure out how we will manage my recovery with work and kids to juggle.

"Not sure why I’m sharing really… just wanted to say… if you have those ‘… drive to the airport’ feelings, I have them too! Good to get these appointments done and dusted and gently return to life I know I am so very grateful to be rebuilding, even if some days are hard."

While Ali is best known for appearing in Channel 4's Hollyoaks and ITV's The Bill, she also competed in the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.

She was partnered with professional dancer Brian Fortuna. They finished in third place overall and later returned to win the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.