UK
Amy Dowden: Strictly Come Dancing star says ‘no evidence of disease’ after cancer treatment
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has revealed her latest health check showed “no evidence of disease” after undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Dowden shared the development with her 656,000 Instagram followers on Friday, describing the news from doctors as “words I dreamed of” and her “biggest accomplishment yet”.
The 33-year-old – a professional on Strictly Come Dancing since 2017 – explained that she won’t get the all-clear for five years, during which she will need monthly injections as well as regular check-ups.
But she added: “Words I never thought I’d hear at one point”, as she thanked her husband, Ben Jones, family, friends and fans for their support.
Dowden, from Caerphilly, South Wales, revealed she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year and underwent a mastectomy.
In July, she told fans she had a second diagnosis for “another type of cancer“, before beginning chemotherapy in August last year.
Describing the impact of the disease, she wrote on Friday: “Chemo and this past year has certainly took its toll on my body both physically and mentally, so I’ll be taking the next few months to heal and recover.
“I have so much to strive and live for, and [I’m] so grateful for another chance at life! Something I know not all get.
“I certainly see life differently and my life has changed forever!”
The dancer also vowed to raise awareness of the disease and encourage as many people as possible to check themselves for the signs of breast cancer.
The professional dancer arriving at the red carpet launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2019. Pic: PA
Dowden, who describes herself as a “breast cancer warrior” on her Instagram profile, has partnered with stars including EastEnders actor James Bye, comedian Brian Conley and McFly singer Tom Fletcher.
In her post, she added: “Dance floor, I’m coming for you!”.
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Fellow Strictly stars including Dianne Buswell, Anton Du Beke, Giovanni Pernice, Oti Mabuse and Gorka Marquez were among an array of colleagues who congratulated Dowden.
The post was liked more than 132,000 times with hundreds of fans also sending their best wishes.