AMY DOWDEN IS "DETERMINED TO GET BACK ON THE DANCEFLOOR" AS SHE STARTS CANCER TREATMENT

"Strictly Come Dancing" professional dancer, Amy Dowden, has begun treatment for breast cancer. Posting a snap from her hospital bed on 7 June, smiling and with two thumbs up, she captioned the photo: "Step one to beating cancer! Rrrrrrready for this fight and more determined than ever to get back on the dance floor."

Friends flocked to her comments with support and love. Tom Fletcher, who was partnered with Dowden on the reality show in 2021, wrote, "Sending you all the love today. Us Fletchers are right behind you. X" while her fellow professional dancers, including Giovanni Pernice and Gorka Marquez, added heart emojis.

The 32-year-old told her followers the news of her diagnoses on 24 May via an Instagram post. "Hey all, I've got some news which isn't easy to share," the statement began. "I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I'm determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it. Welsh love, Amy x".

The professional dancer was thrust into the limelight when she joined "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2017, and has since become a fan-favourite. She came second in 2019 with celebrity TV presenter Karim Zeroual. and most recently was paired with actor James Bye in the last series.

Hello! Magazine reported that the star spotted a hard lump on her right breast the day before she flew to her belated honeymoon in the Maldives with her husband, fellow dancer, Ben Jones.

She told the outlet of her symptoms: "I was in shock; I checked again. I thought: 'Right, it could just be period-related, or so many things. I decided I was going to keep an eye on it for a few weeks. On holiday, putting body lotion on every day, I was noticing it." She continued: "Then, once we were back home, I went to do a [dance] show with Ben and I was putting some shimmer on and the lump felt so much bigger. I just knew I needed to go to the doctors."

Dowden, who has previously raised awareness for Crohn's Disease, a condition she has lived with since a child, is now eager to raise awareness of breast cancer as well. We hope that Dowden makes a speedy recovery, and we wish her all the best. Keep reading for more information about breast cancer symptoms.

Symptoms of breast cancer may include:

Changes in skin texture, e.g. puckering/dimpling

Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone

Lumps and thickening

Nipple discharge

A sudden, unusual change in size or shape

Nipple inversion and changes in direction

A rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding area

Constant, unusual pain in your breast or armpit

If you or someone you know has been affected by this story, you can speak to a nurse at Cancer Research UK on 0808 800 4040 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

2023-05-25T13:05:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd