Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has opened up to Lorraine Kelly about her ‘really tough’ journey after finishing treatment for stage three breast cancer
Strictly Come Dancing favourite Amy Dowden received the heart-wrenching diagnosis of stage three breast cancer back in 2023. Following a mastectomy and chemotherapy, the cherished BBC personality was informed last year that her body showed no evidence of the disease, with her later sharing the news with fans.
However, the talented professional dancer shared with her Instagram fans at the time that she has to wait five more years before receiving the definitive ‘all-clear on the cancer’. Now, she has candidly revealed she thinks about her cancer returning ‘most of the time’.
This week, the Strictly sensation disclosed her involvement in the Beyond the Bell film, a collaborative effort with NovartisUK. The Keep Ahead campaign delves into the emotional rollercoaster experienced after active breast cancer treatment.
Amy took to Instagram to share the film, penning a heartbreaking confession: “Like many people living with breast cancer, my journey hasn’t been straightforward.
“Even after I rang the end of treatment bell, the fear of my cancer coming back meant that I couldn’t fully celebrate.
“Breast cancer recurrence is on my mind most days, and I am still learning how to navigate these feelings and everything about life after my diagnosis – taking it one day at a time.
“The film explores the highs and lows of life after active breast cancer treatment.How the fear of recurrence once held me back. How I’ve found the strength to take back control. How I keep moving forward one day at a time.”
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Meanwhile, during her appearance on Friday’s episode of Lorraine, the 34-year-old dancer spoke candidly about the challenges following the celebratory bell-ringing, which marks the conclusion of cancer treatment.
She revealed: “After I rang the bell, came the longest journey of recovery, and I think people think you’re fine afterwards. But you’re really not.”, reports Wales Online.
“I still have to take medication, I still have to go back to the oncology unit once a month for an injection for at least five years. I’ve been put into menopause, I don’t know what my options are going to look like, if I’m going to be able to carry my own children.”
Amy admitted to ITV viewers that life post-treatment is ‘very tough’, but she also expressed that she feels stronger than ever, now 18 months on.
She continued: “I would just like to say to anybody, don’t compare yourself to others. I think I forgot to be kind to myself afterwards, and I really struggled last year.
“I don’t think I really processed what happened, and I think there are so many people around you when you’re having your treatment, then all of a sudden you’re on your own straight afterwards.”
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