Strictly's Amy Dowden opens up on decision to have a preventative mastectomy
She had the procedure in early November
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden underwent chemotherapy and later had a single mastectomy on her right breast, before going into remission.
The 35-year-old, who re-joined the cast of Strictly earlier this year, was then forced to take more time away from the show, after pre-cancerous cells were detected following a scan.
In an attempt to stop the cancer returning, Amy made the brave decision to undergo preventative mastectomy on her left breast at the beginning of November, and now she's appeared on Lorraine to talk about the decision.
Speaking to host Lorraine Kelly, Amy said: “I think the shocking thing for me with a cancer diagnosis was I thought that once I'd rang that bell, it was going to be all done and dusted. But it really, really isn't.
“It was two years ago since I finished my active chemotherapy, and in the following year, unfortunately with my mammogram, it picked up specs on my other breast. Although they came back as pre-cancerous cells and specs, it's still always been in the back of my mind.
“I think something else that always has worried me is we knew I had a tumour in my right breast and we knew I had ductal cancer. But when they went in to operate, they found two other tumours for me, that’s helping me make a decision to take my left breast off.
“This is preventative. I'm young. I want children. I would do anything to just have my old life back and not be going through this. I certainly don't want to have surgery again. But what I do know is I can't go through another cancer diagnosis again.”
After being eliminated from this year's Strictly in Week One, alongside celebrity partner Thomas Skinner, Amy also expressed her desire to return to the show by the end of the series.
She added: “I would really love to be back dancing, a little bit, in the Strictly final”.
Over the weekend, Amy shared a side-by-side photo of herself from the weekend and from two years ago, where she reflected on the last two years.
She wrote: 'EXACTLY two years apart THIS WEEKEND. When I see memories like this it makes me so very proud. The bottom picture was after I was rushed into hospital via ambulance very poorly. I didn’t know at the time but I had another blood clot on the lung but also all the sides effects of 8 rounds of gruelling chemotherapy. I still remember now as I entered the ambulance I turned to Ben and my dear friend and said cancer has taken me, I’ll never be the same again, ill never dance again ( i was at at the lowest point I’d ever been).
'My foot also broken and I couldn’t see how I could ever get the old Amy back. Pic 2 two years later exactly, after a year of two dancing tours, strictly and fabulous opportunities 🥹, but most importantly three weeks after another mastectomy. It didn’t come easy, after a year of real hard work but it got me feeling like me again. I’m posting this to show it’s POSSIBLE.
'Yes it’s been hard but I DID IT. I wish I rewarded myself more along the way. But gosh am I so proud of how far Ive had to dig deep, especially in the past 12 months. A year ago I thought cancer took my dancing,I told myself I needed to hang my dancing shoes up but my darling husband Ben and @gkx_carlos proved and made sure it didn’t. Tonight I raise a glass to the past year, working hard, allowing my passion of dance to save me along with my incredible medical team, family and friends. Thank you 🥹 I love you all endlessly. Cancer you didn’t take and will not take who I am! 💖🥹💜🙏🎀'. (sic)
Amy's showbiz friends and fans were quick to comment on her post, with many calling her an inspiration.
Gaby Roslin wrote: 'Oh Amy you are blooming wonderful and it’s fantastic to see you dancing and so full of life ❤️🙌👏'.
A fan wrote: 'biggest inspiration forever. SO inspiring 💖', with another commenting: '❤️you are so beautiful inside and out. Thank you for sharing your strength and magic with us all xx'. (sic)
Another follower said: 'Your approach throughout has been nothing short of inspiring, i truly don’t think you know how incredible you are'. (sic)
We send Amy our wishes as she continues with her recovery ❤️.
Now check out all of this year's Strictly contestants below:
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin
George Clarke and Alexis Warr
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe: ELIMINATED
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Drag Queen La Voix was forced to pull out of the competition ahead of Blackpool week. Hosts Tess and Claudia said: "As you may have heard La Voix sustained an injury meaning she can't dance in Blackpool tonight. Following further advice from our medical team, we can now confirm very sadly that she has had to withdraw from the competition."
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington: ELIMINATED
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer: ELIMINATED
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola: ELIMINATED
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley: ELIMINATED
Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
After four weeks in the competition, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis announced he'd been forced to quit the competition, revealing he'd torn his calf muscle.
Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova: ELIMINATED
Ross King and Jowita Przystal: ELIMINATED
Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden: ELIMINATED
Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Just days ahead of her first live performance, Dani released a statement to announce she'd had to pull out of the series after suffering a fractured ankle in training. It has now been confirmed that Amber Davies will replace her and pair with Nikita.
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