08 August 2023 , 20:21
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Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden is set to open up on her breast cancer diagnosis in a raw BBC documentary.
The professional dancer announced in May that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and in June she revealed she had undergone a mastectomy. Doctors later found another type of cancer in the Caerphilly-born dancer, and she described this as a “massive blow” as it meant she would not be able to compete in Strictly this year.
Amy has been giving fans regular updates on her social media but has decided to let cameras in to film her treatment. She hopes to raise awareness of cancer by giving insight to viewers of the upcoming BBC documentary. “Amy’s breast cancer fight has inspired millions of Strictly fans already, but she wants to do more.
Amy shared a picture from her hospital bed of a camera recording her (Instagram)
The dancer has been giving health updates to her fans“She’s been sharing every stage online to try and remind everyone to check their breasts and the film will take it one step further. The result will be a raw but sensitive film as Amy fights back to fitness — and her beloved dance," a source told The Sun. In her latest update, Amy was pictured smiling from her hospital bed.
The 32-year-old star was seen wrapped in blankets and wearing a cold cap as she posed alongside her friend who had come along to support her. Cold caps are often worn during chemotherapy treatment and they have a cooling effect on the head, reducing blood flow to the scalp.
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Reflecting on the experience, Amy said it 'wasn't as bad' as she'd been imagining adding it meant she was 'one step closer to being back on the dance floor'. She posted: "Chemo 1 done! I looked worse going in than coming out actually. I didn’t sleep, I got there and I just burst into tears, luckily my pink sister made sure I walked in and helped me through it and distracted from the brain freeze of the cold cap. ( wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be!) thank you @jenny.markey not sure what I would do without you! Lucky to have you! Red Devil went in, had another cry but I’ve left knowing chemo 1 done and not as bad as I thought.
"This is due to the incredible team and nurses! Thank you NHS! Hopefully not too many side affects. One step closer to being back on the dance floor. (that’s what’s hurting the most right now, I’d do anything to be there with my fellow strictly pros right now). But for now chemo 1."
It comes after Amy revealed she "burst into tears” when she arrived for chemotherapy treatment. Sharing her nerves before the treatment, Amy wrote: "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.
In a separate post to her Instagram story, she said: “I hardly slept… just wishing this wasn’t happening to me.” Amy, who married fellow professional dancer Ben Jones in July 2022, previously revealed she had found a lump in her breast the day before she planned to go on her belated honeymoon this year.
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.