Amy Dowden shares update on Strictly amid second cancer diagnosis

The 32-year-old professional dancer, Amy Dowden, who was a finalist on the BBC celebrity competition four years ago with presenter Karim Zeroual, received the shocking news in May that she had stage three breast cancer.

Last month, she revealed that she underwent a mastectomy.

During an Instagram video with awareness charity CoppaFeel, Dowden had a conversation with rower Erin Kennedy, who herself had a breast cancer diagnosis last year and had to undergo chemotherapy.

Dowden explained, “Originally, my treatment plan consisted of a lumpectomy, radiotherapy, and hormone treatment. However, after an MRI, doctors discovered another tumor, which led to a mastectomy. Unfortunately, even after the mastectomy, they found more tumors, and my pathology results were unexpected, revealing another type of cancer.”

The news of needing chemotherapy was “scary” and a “massive blow” for Dowden as it was not part of her original healthcare plan.

Despite the challenges, Dowden expressed her determination, saying, “You can take away my boob, but you can’t take my dancing away from me.” She also mentioned her disappointment of not being able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly Come Dancing this year but expressed gratitude for the support from the show’s team and the incredible support from the BBC.

Dowden shared that her oncologist encouraged her to continue dancing during chemotherapy, as movement can be beneficial for those undergoing treatment.

The Caerphilly-born dancer, who joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, remains determined to continue living a healthy lifestyle and be herself throughout the challenging journey.

Dowden disclosed to Hello! magazine that she found a lump in her breast a day before her planned belated honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones in April. The couple got married in July 2022.