The professional dancer shared her breast cancer diagnosis back in May 2023
Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has admitted that she ‘really struggled’ as she made a ‘five year’ admission about her cancer journey.
The professional dancer underwent treatment for breast cancer and shared her diagnosis publicly after being given the news in May 2023.
After finding a lump the day before her honeymoon with fellow dancer Ben Jones, Amy had to undergo a single mastectomy before having chemotherapy treatment.
In February 2024, the 34-year-old announced she had ‘no evidence of disease’ following tests and later made her return to the hit BBC dance show for its 20th-anniversary series last year.
Appearing on Friday’s (July 18) edition of ITV talk show Lorraine, Amy appeared to talk about life after ringing the bell, which signifies the end of a cancer patient’s treatment.
“After I rang the bell, came the longest journey of recovery, and I think people think you’re fine afterwards. But you’re really not.
“I still have to take medication, I still have to go back to the oncology unit once a month for an injection for at least five years.
“I’ve been put into menopause, I don’t know what my options are going to look like, if I’m going to be able to carry my own children,” she said.
Admitting that it’s ‘very tough’ to move forward after ringing the bell, Amy provided an insight into some of the struggles she’s faced.
She explained: “I would just like to say to anybody, don’t compare yourself to others. I think I forgot to be kind to myself afterwards, and I really struggled last year.
“I don’t think I really processed what happened, and I think there are so many people around you when you’re having your treatment, then all of a sudden you’re on your own straight afterwards.”
Earlier in the week, Amy announced on Instagram that she’s taking part in the Beyond the Bell film, in partnership with NovartisUK.
The group who ‘discover and develop breakthrough treatments and find new ways to deliver them to as many people as possible’, are currently looking at the highs and lows of life after active breast cancer treatment with their Keep Ahead campaign.
Sharing the film, Amy wrote: “Like many people living with breast cancer, my journey hasn’t been straightforward. Even after I rang the end of treatment bell, the fear of my cancer coming back meant that I couldn’t fully celebrate.
“Breast cancer recurrence is on my mind most days, and I am still learning how to navigate these feelings and everything about life after my diagnosis – taking it one day at a time.
“The film explores the highs and lows of life after active breast cancer treatment. How the fear of recurrence once held me back. How I’ve found the strength to take back control. How I keep moving forward one day at a time.”