In a heartfelt revelation, Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden announced that she will not be competing in this year’s series due to a second cancer diagnosis. The 32-year-old dancer, originally from Caerphilly, received the shocking news of her stage three breast cancer diagnosis in May, leading her to undergo a mastectomy.
Amy Dowden opened up about her health journey in a candid conversation with rower Erin Kennedy, who battled breast cancer last year and has undergone chemotherapy. During an Instagram video with the awareness charity CoppaFeel, Dowden shared her emotional and challenging experience.
Originally, the dancer was preparing for a lumpectomy, radiotherapy, and hormone treatment as part of her healthcare plan. However, a subsequent MRI revealed another tumour, which prompted her medical team to change the approach to a mastectomy. Unfortunately, even after the mastectomy, additional tumours were discovered, and the pathology results yielded unexpected findings of another type of cancer.
The news of needing chemotherapy was a significant blow to Dowden, as it had not been part of her initial treatment plan. She expressed her fear and apprehension about this additional challenge. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Dowden demonstrated immense strength and resilience, likening her determination to her passion for dancing, which remains an integral part of her identity.
Dowden acknowledged her disappointment at not being able to dance with a celebrity partner on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. However, she expressed gratitude for the unwavering support and understanding from the show’s team and the BBC. The Strictly family has stood by her side throughout her health journey, assuring her of various ways to stay involved in the show.
The dancer emphasised her commitment to continue dancing, as her oncologist highlighted the positive impact of movement for people undergoing chemotherapy. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Dowden remains optimistic and hopeful that she will still be an integral part of the Strictly Come Dancing experience in some capacity.
