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Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has detailed the impact of blood thinning injections on her health as she battles breast cancer.
The professional dancer, 33, previously revealed she was undergoing the treatment to prevent blood clots after she suffered one on her lung and two on her arms.
Amy told Lorraine on Wednesday’s ITV show that she has to inject herself daily after doctors were ‘worried’ the clots were travelling to her heart.
However, she said the jabs had left her stomach ‘black and blue.’
Amy explained to the Scottish presenter: ‘I’ve had two blood clots on my arms; one on my lung at the beginning of December. And I was rushed [into hospital] as doctors were worried it was travelling to my heart.
‘I’ve been injecting myself every day and my stomach is black and blue from it.’
Amy Dowden said her stomach was ‘black and blue’ after daily injections (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Amy has regularly updated fans with her treatment (Picture: Instagram)
Amy also spoke about New Year having posted a powerful message on her Instagram to support others who were struggling.
‘I’m sure I’m not alone and that’s why I wanted to put something. I feel I was robed [sic] of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry but later I’m going to make myself look through my camera roll and remember all the good times, the amazing opportunities I had, family time but also taking time to realise I learnt the most this year,’ she said.
Addressing her social media message on Lorraine, Amy said: ‘On New Year’s Eve when you wake up and see everybody’s posts throughout the year, I was actually quite bitter.’
Amy also broke her foot amid her chemotherapy treatment (Picture: Instagram/@amy_dowden)
Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer springtime in 2023 (Picture: Instagram/Amy Dowden)
Saying she wasn’t ‘surprised’ by Amy’s feelings, Lorraine added: ‘I don’t blame you for a nanosecond.’
Explaining she had ‘so many lovely plans’ for 2023, Amy said her life changed the instant she received the breast cancer diagnosis.
‘It doesn’t just change during the treatment or surgery, it changes forever to be honest with you. It has changed me as a person,’ she added.
Amy performed during the Strictly final and fans were thrilled to see her (Picture: Instagram)
Breast cancer symptoms
The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast.
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Amy previously revealed that her Strictly co-star, Neil Jones, helped administer her blood thinning injections while she was on the set of the BBC show.
‘Big shoutout to Mr Neil Jones, who helped me last night, because it’s like a proper beasting. I’ve had so many people message me and say, “Yeah they’re nasty, aren’t they?”’ she shared.
‘I will get used to them I know. But I just wanted to say a massive thank you. Please don’t worry – I am listening to my body, but I’m also doing what I need to do for myself mentally as well. But thank you. It means so much. Sending so much love and strength to anybody who needs it.’
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In mid-November, Amy shared a picture on Instagram showing herself wearing a medical boot, revealing that she had fractured her foot.
She said at the time that she felt ‘absolutely gutted and heartbroken’, as the injury meant that she couldn’t dance on Strictly, as she had been due to take the dancefloor during the semi-fina
Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
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Amy has shared another health update as she battles breast cancer.