Amy Dowden of Strictly Come Dancing has opened up about the effects of blood-thinning treatments on her health as she battles breast cancer.
The 33-year-old professional dancer recently claimed she was getting therapy to avoid blood clots after suffering one on her lung and two on her arms.
Amy said on Lorraine on Wednesday’s ITV show that she needs to inject herself every day because doctors were ‘concerned’ about the clots getting to her heart.
She did, however, claim that the shots had left her tummy ‘black and blue.’
Amy explained to the Scottish presenter: ‘I’ve had two blood clots on my arms; one on my lung at the beginning of December. And I was rushed [into hospital] as doctors were worried it was travelling to my heart.
‘I’ve been injecting myself every day and my stomach is black and blue from it.’
Amy also discussed the New Year after posting a touching message on Instagram to help those who were struggling.
‘I’m sure I’m not alone and that’s why I wanted to put something. I feel I was robed [sic] of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry but later I’m going to make myself look through my camera roll and remember all the good times, the amazing opportunities I had, family time but also taking time to realise I learnt the most this year,’ she said.
Addressing her social media message on Lorraine, Amy said: ‘On New Year’s Eve when you wake up and see everybody’s posts throughout the year, I was actually quite bitter.’
Saying she wasn’t ‘surprised’ by Amy’s feelings, Lorraine added: ‘I don’t blame you for a nanosecond.’
Explaining she had ‘so many lovely plans’ for 2023, Amy said her life changed the instant she received the breast cancer diagnosis.
‘It doesn’t just change during the treatment or surgery, it changes forever to be honest with you. It has changed me as a person,’ she added.
Breast cancer symptoms
The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast.
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Amy previously disclosed that her Strictly co-star Neil Jones assisted with the administration of her blood thinning shots when she was on the set of the BBC programme.
‘Big shoutout to Mr Neil Jones, who helped me last night, because it’s like a proper beasting. I’ve had so many people message me and say, “Yeah they’re nasty, aren’t they?”’ she shared.
‘I will get used to them I know. But I just wanted to say a massive thank you. Please don’t worry – I am listening to my body, but I’m also doing what I need to do for myself mentally as well. But thank you. It means so much. Sending so much love and strength to anybody who needs it.’
Amy posted an Instagram photo of herself wearing a medical boot in mid-November, disclosing that she had broken her foot.
She added at the time that she was ‘extremely crushed and heartbroken’ since the injury meant she couldn’t perform on Strictly, as she had been scheduled to do during the semi-finals.
Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
