03 August 2023 , 13:27
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Amy Dowden has given a tearful update as she begins chemotherapy following her second cancer diagnosis. The Strictly Come Dancing star, 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, following her operation Amy gave a heartbreaking 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.
Taking to her social media again, the professional dancer shared a pic of herself in a hospital bed. She had been fitted for a port and a cold cap for treatment - which is worn to help reduce blood flow to the scalp, in order to help minimize hair loss during chemotherapy. Captioning her post, Amy wrote: "I hardly slept. I broke down in tears as soon as I got in the room.
Amy Dowden have given a tearful health update (Instagram)"Cold cap on. So far coping and not as bad as I thought with cold cap on. But just wishing this wasn't happening to me! Nurses here are just incredible. Thank you NHS and I've got my fellow pink sister sat by my side and made sure I walked through the door this morning." Amy shared another snap from the hospital bed as she drank a cup of tea.
She added: "Got my tea which makes me feel better. Just feeling very emotional today mixed with nerves and fear but like my lovely nurse has said I just need to think of the end goal. I've always set dreams and goals in life I guess none like this one (always dance related!) but I'm going to see it like this." Amy then shared a third image of her getting chemotherapy medication put into her arm, with the star writing: "It's started", alongside crying emojis.
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Amy shared an update as she begins chemotherapy (Instagram)
She was recently diagnosed with another cancer (Instagram)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.
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.
"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 has been supported by her Strictly co-stars, who send messages of support to the dancer on her posts. Dianne Buswell commented on Amy's latest post: "What a woman love you x," whilst Kevin Clifton added: "Ur awsome."
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.