Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden's Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Strictly's Amy Dowden Shares Cancer Update: "Combing My Hair Is Heartbreaking"
Amy Dowden has been updating her followers with her breast cancer journey, but has now revealed that she's started wearing a wig following her second round of chemotherapy.
Following her second diagnosis of further tumours in recent months, the "Strictly Come Dancing" star took to her Instagram Story on 20 August to embrace her new look after the "heartbreaking" reality of losing her hair. Despite opening up about the "little wins" like "managing some walks, lovely soups and smoothies and...feeling even better today", Dowden has started to experience hair loss as a result of her cancer treatment.
"What I have found harder this time around and the last few days is the hair shredding," she explained. "Even though I am cold capping" – which is a hat that can be worn prior to chemotherapy to reduce the blood flow to the scalp, and prevent hair loss, as per NHS England – "you hope to keep 50 per cent of your hair and there are also so many benefits to the hair growing back quicker too. But as much as I prepared myself waking up everyday gently combing my hair with a wide comb and seeing what comes out is heartbreaking - personally for me," she said.
Dowden explained that she now only washes her hair once or twice per week, and is not using any heated styling tools in a bid to prevent further hair loss. "I just don't feel like me. So it's time to bring out the wig, I say! And get used to it and help me feel like me," she added. "I know this won't last forever but during this time and knowing normally these few months are my favourite time of the year and I feel myself wishing these months away just hurts so much. I know and telling myself the way you look hasn't changed Amy who I am on the inside."
While a further diagnosis – which she did not go into detail about previously – "wasn't in the plan", Dowden explained that her oncologist said "that with chemo, I've got a really good chance of a cure". She added, as via ITVX: "For me, straightaway, [it] was just my dancing. You can take away my boob, but you can't take my dancing away from me."
The performer had plans to return to the dance competition later this year, but this has been put on hold whilst she undergoes treatment. She began her breast cancer treatment at the start of summer, posting a picture from her hospital bed on 7 June, smiling and with two thumbs up. "Step one to beating cancer! Rrrrrrready for this fight and more determined than ever to get back on the dance floor," she captioned the post.
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 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.
The star 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".
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.
