01 August 2023 , 06:18
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Brave Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has shared a new update on her cancer battle with fans and famous friends alike as she gave a candid look at her latest chemotherapy session after recently announcing that she has been diagnosed with another type of cancer.
The Welsh professional dancer, 32, revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer back in May and has since undergone an operation, as well as a mastectomy and fertility treatment. However, after her operation, Amy gave a devastating update on her health during an Instagram Live video last month.
Chatting with breast cancer survivor and Paralympic gold medalist Erin Kennedy for the charity CoppaFeel!, Amy sadly revealed she had been diagnosed with 'another type of cancer' after doctors found more tumours.
Despite her second cancer diagnosis, Amy has remained positive and optimistic, and has now decided to share her chemotherapy journey in the hopes of spreading awareness and helping many others who find themselves in the same position as the Strictly professional dancer.
Brave Amy Dowden supported Strictly pals as she shares 'scary' cancer update (Amy Dowden/Instagram)
Amy candidly confessed that she wasn't 'looking forward to' gaining 'another scar' (Amy Dowden/Instagram)Taking to her Instagram account on Monday, Amy candidly confessed that she wasn't 'looking forward to' gaining 'another scar' as she opened up ahead of her latest procedure. The much-loved dancer shared the update with her 434,000 followers, and later revealed that a port was being fitted under her skin for chemotherapy purposes.
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In a photo which she posted to her Instagram stories, Amy donned a hospital gown as she snapped a mirror selfie before her procedure. The frightened star went on to share her fears in the caption as she penned: "Really not looking forward to this. Another scar this one only an inch long but will always remind me and will always be visible."
Later on, Amy seemed more positive as she shared a number of photos of herself lying on a hospital bed before the procedure got underway. Amy shared a look at her new scar after undergoing the procedure, and told her followers why she wanted to share her raw journey to beating cancer.
"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," she penned. "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."
Amy explained that she had a port fitted under her skin (Amy Dowden/Instagram)
Amy shared her fears before undergoing the procedure (Instagram)Following her brave update, Amy's Strictly Come Dancing family rushed to the comments to shower the star with love and support as Gorka Marquez penned: "You got this Amy," before Motsi Mabsue gushed: "Thinking of you. Sending love and I am very sure you are inspiring and giving courage to everyone."
James Jordan wrote: "Sending love, health, healing, and strength," while Kym Marsh added: "Brave lady." Another one of Amy's supportive followers commented: "Thank you for sharing this, it’s so important. I had chemo age 17 (16 years ago!) and there wasn’t much social media then and I didn’t know of any other young person going through it. You’ll help someone more than you know by sharing your journey."
"Amy thank you for being so open about your journey when in the thick of it. Thinking of others, the impact on others when you’re walking through fire yourself. Finding moments to try and help raise awareness when some days are really heavy. You are honestly the most genuinely selfless person. Every scar is a testament to your inner strength," another follower gushed.
Amy revealed her devastating health diagnosis recently and underwent a mastectomy in an effort to remove the tumour. She was due to undergo radiotherapy and then return to Strictly, but she was left floored when doctors told her they had found more tumours after an MRI.
During a live Instagram video chat with Paralympic gold medalist and breast cancer survivor Erin Kennedy for the charity CoppaFeel!, Amy explained her "journey had changed" since being diagnosed, and she wouldn’t be able to compete with a celebrity contestant in the next Strictly series.
Amy has been sharing her journey ever since her first diagnosis (Amy Dowden Instagram)
The dancer is determined to be well enough to finally go back to Strictly (Instagram/ @amy_dowden)She said: "For me my journey everything changed. I was originally going to have a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. But then, after my MRI, they found another tumour so then it changed into a mastectomy and then, after my mastectomy, unfortunately, they found even more tumours."
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"They found another type of cancer and then they told me I needed chemo – for me that was a massive blow. It wasn’t in the plan, originally – and I know the plan you can’t get fixated on," Amy added, as she revealed she would need chemotherapy.
Amy touched on her heartbreaking news in a post on Instagram shortly after news broke of her missing Strictly this year, and she shared a powerful quote with her loyal fans which read: "Keep shining darling. You are stronger than you think. Even though you may doubt it, you will get through the hard stuff with grace, strength and courage."
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.