Amy Dowden of Strictly Come Dancing tweeted an uplifting post from her hospital bed, assuring fans she’s ready to combat cancer.
The professional dancer, who debuted on BBC One in 2017 and has worked with James Bye and Tom Fletcher, said last month that she discovered a lump in her breast before her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones.
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has shared an inspirational post from her hospital bed, telling followers she’s ready to fight her cancer battle.
The professional dancer, who joined the BBC One competition in 2017 and has partnered with the likes of James Bye and Tom Fletcher, revealed last month that she’d found a lump in her breast before her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones.
The 32-year-old shared on Instagram at the time: ‘Hey all, I’ve got some news which isn’t easy to share.
‘I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I’m determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it.’
She has subsequently received overwhelming support from her co-stars and fans, and Strictly executives have indicated that they are ‘keeping the door open’ for her.
She’s now shared an update from hospital, in an inspirational post.
View this post on Instagram
Amy took to Instagram to share a photo of herself in a hospital gown, thumbs up and smiling at the camera.
She wrote: ‘Step one to beating cancer! Rrrrrrready for this fight and more determined than ever to get back on the dance floor 💪💪🙏🙏 #breastcanceryoung #checkyourchest #checkyourlemons #letsdothis #breastcancerawareness.’
Her image was showered in love and support, with pro dancer Gorka Marquez writing: ‘You got this @amy_dowden.’
Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies echoed: ‘You’ve got this!’
Stacey Dooley posted a series of red hearts while Denys Samson also wrote: ‘@amy_dowden You got this.’
Amy took to Instagram to share a photo of herself in a hospital gown, thumbs up and smiling at the camera.
Sarah James, Strictly’s executive producer, said: ‘Amy is an exceptional person, both on and off the dance floor, and is adored by her entire Strictly Come Dancing family.
‘Everyone on the show is sending Amy all our love and she knows that we are all here to support her, whenever she needs us.’
Amy’s recuperation will be supported by the show throughout, and the ‘door remains open’ for her future return for part, if not all, of the next season.
According to a BBC spokeswoman, ‘we will not be recasting for another professional dancer in 2023.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC later this year.
Breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!’s music festival Festifeel, specially curated by their patron, Fearne Cotton.
Taking place on Sunday 18 September at London’s Omeara, the line up includes headliners McFly, comedian Rosie Jones and Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts.
You can find out more about CoppaFeel! here, but in the meantime, here’s three simple steps from the charity to get you started on your chest-checking journey:
Look
- Look at your boobs, pecs or chest.
- Look at the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in size, outline or shape and changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling.
Feel
- Feel each of your boobs, pecs or chest.
- Feel the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling, or any lumps, bumps or skin thickening which are different from the opposite side.
Notice your nipples
- Look at each of your nipples.
Be aware of any nipple discharge that’s not milky, any bleeding from the nipple, any rash or crusting on or around your nipple area that doesn’t heal easily and any change in the position of your nipple.
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.
