The dancer’s life changed forever in May 2023 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32

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The dancer’s life changed forever in May 2023 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32(Image: instagram/ @amy_dowden)

Strictly star Amy Dowden stared death in the face during her gruelling cancer battle and admitted she initially ‘thought the worst’ before she finally celebrated the all clear in February 2024. The dancer’s life changed forever in May 2023 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32, and she has since become one of the UK’s most recognisable advocates for early cancer detection.

Despite initially wanting to hide away from everyone and everything and fearing the worst, Amy knew that by speaking out, she could potentially save another life by advocating and sharing her journey. The Strictly professional dancer, who was partnered with Tom Skinner this year, who was sadly the first celebrity to leave the series, opened up to OK! About her diagnosis. She said, while she is feeling like herself again, the experience of having ‘cancer never leaves you’.

She said, while she is feeling like herself again, the experience of having ‘cancer never leaves you’

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She said, while she is feeling like herself again, the experience of having ‘cancer never leaves you’(Image: Instagram/ @amy_dowden)

Sharing more about her own journey, she explained how she wanted to hide away from everyone, but instead faced the battle head-on

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Sharing more about her own journey, she explained how she wanted to hide away from everyone, but instead faced the battle head-on(Image: Amy Dowden Instagram)

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She said: “Since my own breast cancer diagnosis, I want to do everything that I can to raise awareness and get the message out there to help others. I’m so proud to be on the other side of my diagnosis now. I’m finally feeling like myself again. I’m finally Amy again. I’m happy in my life now. But the blow of having cancer and everything you go through throughout your diagnosis is something that never leaves you.”

Amy explained: “I never thought cancer would happen to me. Cancer, unfortunately, doesn’t discriminate and sadly more and more people at such a young age are being diagnosed with breast cancer.”

Sharing more about her own journey, she explained how she wanted to hide away from everyone, but instead faced the battle head-on and spread awareness to potentially save another life.

“There were times where I felt as though I just wanted to shut off from the world. I didn’t want to share updates or discuss what I was going through. But at the end of the day, if there’s one positive that would come from all of my oversharing was that hopefully even one person would be more inclined to check themselves.

“To me, it was just all about that. It was about saving lives. I thought about mortality a lot. It’s scary. Your mind goes to the craziest of places when you’re in a dark place like that. After my initial diagnosis and when I was waiting to find out what the plan of action was, I thought the worst. The absolute worst. When you’re in these moments, you’re so upset and you’re so emotional, your mind brings you to those awful places and it stirs up the most awful feelings inside of you. But I’m still here, despite it all.”

Fans were thrilled to see Amy return to the Strictly dance floor this year, but were gutted to see her voted out in the first week alongside her partner Tomas Skinner. After they were sadly voted off, Amy spoke about getting to know “the real Tom” during their time on Strictly and revealed that he brought her confidence back during his short stint.

Fans were thrilled to see Amy return to the Strictly dance floor this year, but were gutted to see her voted out

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Fans were thrilled to see Amy return to the Strictly dance floor this year, but were gutted to see her voted out(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

“He is adorable. He’s looked after me,” she said. “We’ve laughed so much. We’ve worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing but what I’ve learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything.

“I’ve made a new friend for life and I wouldn’t change a thing. There is a Ballroom boy in there so I’m a bit gutted he didn’t get to do the Ballroom, but the last three years as you know have been quite difficult for me.

“I lost all confidence as a dancer – but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back and, honestly, thank you.”

Amy has since joined forces with fellow survivor Gemma Ainger to launch My Breast Friend, a free app designed to make self-checks simple, stigma-free and routine.