Yahoo News BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden says 'that time again' in hospital snap amid health update
Amy Dowden has shared a fresh health update as she was seen during her latest visit to the hospital. The Strictly Come Dancing star was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year after she found a lump in her breast in April, the day before going to the Maldives on honeymoon with her husband, fellow professional dancer Ben Jones.
Amy announced the news after undergoing a mastectomy and later bravely documented going through chemotherapy treatment. But the course of treatment wasn't without its setbacks as the dancer recently shared how she was told she had come close to organ failure after she developed an infection following her first round of chemo.
While she was told the positive news that there was no evidence of disease, Amy will not receive the “all clear” for five years due to her type of cancer.
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Sharing a snap to her Instagram Story, Amy could be seen smiling for the camera as she awaited treatment in the hospital. Also giving a thumbs up, the 33-year-old said: "It's that time of the month again! But it's helping keeping the cancer AWAY! Also makes me notice how quick this year is going by!"
Amy has since said she is “working hard” to get her body ready for a return to Strictly Come Dancing following her battle with breast cancer. She told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday (April 16): "I can’t believe it’s a year since I found the lump. But I’m just so grateful in the year for the treatment I’ve had, the NHS, and all the charities, everybody that’s helped me to be still here today."
She added: "I was actually at the oncology unit yesterday, having my monthly injection, which I will need for five years. But I’m just so grateful to get another shot at life. but I never thought in a million years at 32, that I’d be diagnosed with breast cancer. I was living my life to the full on Strictly Come Dancing, I’d just got married, but cancer doesn’t discriminate."
Amy is now supporting The Big Help Out, a campaign to showcase how volunteering benefits both communities and the people who take part, and she said: "Unfortunately one in two of us in our lifetime is diagnosed with cancer but charities like Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Young Lives Vs Cancer, Breast Cancer Now, they wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for volunteers.
"And volunteers are the backbone, the heartbeat to all these charities that help fund research, the reason why I’m still alive today, to help support not just those going through it, but their families as well. But as a volunteer you get so much pride as well, it helps your mental health, there’s so many benefits to it."
Asked what has helped her over the past year, she said: "I’ve got amazing friends and family. The oncology unit, the nurses, the breast nurses, and also the public support has been incredible. And I think the goal and the dream to be back on the dance floor as well, because I’ve missed it so, so much.
The Welsh star added: "I’m working really really hard and getting my body fully back in rehab and physio, I’ve got a brilliant team. So fingers crossed I’ll be back on your screens dancing later this. If Strictly will have me back, I’ll be back."
