Amy Dowden urged her followers to check their breasts (Picture: Instagram)
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has opened up about her ‘chemotherapy journey’ in a bid to raise awareness about the treatment.
The professional dancer, 32, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in May and later confirmed she wouldn’t be taking part in this year’s series after doctors found more tumors following a single mastectomy.
In her most recent update, posted on Instagram, Amy shared that she had begun chemotherapy, which had left her feeling ‘tender, bruised and sore.’
Alongside a picture of herself in a hospital bed, Amy wrote: ‘I’ve decided I want to share my chemo journey to help raise awareness, hopefully get others checking and for understanding what we go through.
‘Port fitted! Wasn’t looking forward to it. Wasn’t easy… my veins! Feeling tender, bruised and sore but the port will help massively over the next few weeks and allow me to dance when I feel well enough.
‘A port sits under the skin and the tube goes along my vein to the heart giving safe access for chemo ( I believe, I’m no dr!) Rrrrrrright that’s ✔️done! Ps don’t swipe to last slide if squeamish!.’
Amy was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in May (Picture: Instagram)
She was flooded by support from former and current Strictly stars and contestants, including Gorka Marquez, who penned: ‘you got this Amy.’
Kym Marsh, who competed in last year’s series, added: ‘Brave lady xx.’
Loose Women star Kaye Adams, who also danced in the 2022 edition of the show, wrote: ‘Sending love xx.’
She later confirmed she would not be taking part in Strictly this year (Picture: PA)
She has been flooded with support from her Strictly family and fans (Picture: PA/Getty)
Amy first revealed she would require chemotherapy in an Instagram Live with breast cancer survivor and Paralympic medalist Erin Kennedy.
‘For me, my journey, everything changed,’ she said.
‘They found another type of cancer and then they told me I needed chemo – for me that was a massive blow,’ she continued.
‘It wasn’t in the plan, originally – and I know the plan you can’t get fixated on.’
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Confirming she was not going to be able to compete in this year’s Strictly, she added: ‘This year, it means I’m not going to be able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly, but I’m in such regular contact with the team – the BBC have just been utterly incredible.’
Announcing her breast cancer diagnosis on May 24 on Instagram, Amy wrote: ‘Hey all, I’ve got some news which isn’t easy to share.
‘I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I’m determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it.’
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Strictly judge Shirley Ballas recently shared her admiration for Amy with Metro.co.uk, describing her as ‘one of the strongest women I know’.
Amy joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and has been paired with celebs including McFly’s Tom Fletcher and EastEnders actor James Bye.
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 said she wants to raise awareness of chemotherapy.