Former Strictly star Ali Bastian reveals she's losing her hair as she battles breast cancer.
The ex-Hollyoaks star took to her social media as she opened up on her condition in a heartbreaking post.
Ali, 42, played the role of Becca Dean in the long-running Channel 4 soap from 2001 until 2007.
She previously competed in the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 where she came in third place.
Earlier this month it was revealed that she has been diagnosed with stage two breast cancer.
Now she admitted that she has been left devastated after she lost her hair, although she has bought wigs as consolation.
Posting a selfie on Instagram, she wrote: "I've found loosing my hair a lot harder than I imagined.
"I did shake my head in the end and didn't feel the 'taking back the power' bit that people talk about.
"Just felt a bit gutted. However ... being an actor I've worn wigs lots and I've found wearing a wig sometimes really helps me feel more 'normal'.
"This is a fun one I bought online for @hairweavon_com I was staggered by how much wigs can cost so I've found a couple of places that do really good lace front synthetic ones!"
The star was previously left in "total shock" after she found a lump while she was breastfeeding her daughter Isabella.
Ali first received the news of the devastating diagnosis in June.
She's now undergoing weekly chemotherapy sessions and is due to undergo radiotherapy treatment and a mastectomy early next year.
The actress told OK! magazine: "It was a total shock. I have mornings when I wake up and I’ve forgotten… and then suddenly I remember. I’m still trying to process it."
Initially, doctors believed it could be a blocked duct but antibiotics failed to stop the soreness she felt.
After more tests at a specialist clinic, her medical team got to the bottom of her condition.
What are the signs of breast cancer?
BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer.
If it’s treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following:
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Source: NHS
Her husband David O’Mahony explained: "I was with the kids and Ali stuck her head round the door and said that cancerous cells had turned up in the biopsy.
"She said it in the most subtle way so the girls didn’t twig. I could see how scared and in shock she was.
"It’s so tempting to try and ‘positive’ your way through news like this but it just hit us like a sledgehammer.
"I just had a feeling of it being so unfair that Ali had been dealt this hand."
