Strictly's Amy Dowden shares 'worrying' cancer moment as she admits 'it's difficult'

Amy Dowden has opened up about a "difficult" part of her cancer journey, admitting it was "worrying". The Strictly Come Dancing star was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023.

The Welsh dancer revealed she was initially scheduled for a lumpectomy after doctors discovered the tumour. This surgical procedure involves removing just the cancerous lumps and some surrounding tissue.

Cancer Research UK explains that this is often the chosen route when the tumour only affects one area of the breast. However, an MRI scan revealed that Amy, 35, had more tumours than first thought.

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This led to doctors deciding she would need to undergo a full mastectomy. Speaking on the Breast Cancer Uncovered podcast, Amy confessed that making such quick decisions about your health can be "very difficult".

She shared: "For me everything happened so quickly, at first I was having a lumpectomy and then after my MRI, there were more tumours so I needed a mastectomy, and all of a sudden you're trying to make these decisions so quickly and you're not really thinking rationally because you're so emotional, it's very difficult within the time.

"I do think it's so important to be given all your options and to understand fully. I also didn't know what I was going to wake up with, that's quite worrying and scary as well.

"I didn't know if it was going to wake up with it open or closed, I didn't know if I was going to have an expander in, or an implant. Even going down to surgery, and I wanted the honesty, you don't know what you are going to wake up with or what it's going to look like."

Amy's cancer diagnosis forced her to sit out the 2023 series of Strictly following chemotherapy treatment.

In February last year, Amy revealed medics told her they discovered "no evidence of the disease" in her body, paving the way for her Strictly comeback.

She made her return to the programme a year ago, paired with JLS singer JB Gill. However, she was rushed to hospital in October, pulling out of the competition on November 4.

At the time, a Strictly spokesperson said: "Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year. While Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley will step in as JB's dance partner.

"The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes."

Caerphilly-born Amy has made her comeback to the current series of Strictly, teamed up with former Apprentice hopeful Tom Skinner.

The reality TV personality said: "I'm beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I've tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff!

"I've never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I'm ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!".