Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has reflected on the changes she has experienced since finding a lump in her breast two years ago.
The Welsh dancer, 34, revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 after finding a lump in April, the day before going to the Maldives on her honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones.
In an emotional post on Instagram Amy said ‘so much has changed since then’ and added that she is ‘so proud’ of how far she has come.
After her diagnosis, Amy had a mastectomy and underwent chemotherapy.
Throughout treatment, which meant Amy was unable to compete in Strictly 2023, Amy kept fans updated on social media, including with tearful videos of when she shaved her head and when she rung the bell after completing chemotherapy.
‘Two years ago I found my lump and my gut instinct told me it wasn’t good,’ Amy wrote in a post today.
‘I was in Blackpool about to do a full day in the ballroom with all my students.
‘That morning in the shower is when my heart sunk. I was also flying off on my long-awaited honeymoon the next day.
‘I knew in my gut it wasn’t right. The entire time I was away I was checking it everyday and googling when Ben wasn’t looking.
‘I remember one day cycling back to our villa and actually thinking this might be my last holiday. Your mind spirals so quickly.
‘It’s crazy how dates become so significant after a cancer diagnosis. So much has changed since then but I am so proud of how far I’ve come.’
In 2024, Amy said she would be making her way back to the dancefloor, however, she was forced to pull out of Strictly midway through the 20th-anniversary series due to an injury.
Her celebrity partner JB Gill made it all the way to the final with Lauren Oakley, though Amy returned for a dazzling number for the last show.
On Friday, the BBC confirmed that the dancer would be returning for Strictly’s 2025 series.
Celebrating this, Amy posted a photo of her taken on Friday, after her Strictly return was confirmed, and another from when she was undergoing treatment.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 full pro line-up
Aljaž Škorjanec
Amy Dowden
Carlos Gu
Dianne Buswell
Gorka Márquez
Johannes Radebe
Jowita Przystal
Kai Widdrington
Karen Hauer
Katya Jones
Lauren Oakley
Luba Mushtuk
Michelle Tsiakkas
Nadiya Bychkova
Nancy Xu
Neil Jones
Nikita Kuzmin
Vito Coppola
She said the pictures show ‘two very different versions of me’.
‘I constantly dreamed about getting the old ‘me’ back and you know what, this year has been everything, and so much more, two back-to-back dancing tours-my body feeling stronger and fitter than ever,’ she said.
‘2025 I always said sounded like a good year.
‘But what I have certainly learnt along the way is not to compare myself to others, learning the full process of recovery has its hurdles, takes the time it needs, both physically and mentally.
‘I have learnt to be kind to myself!
‘I always told myself during treatment this too shall pass and my fav moto of all time don’t get bitter get better.
‘BUT what I really want to say and to get across is always trust your gut! You know your own body, don’t be scared to see your GP and express how you feel.
‘Trust your instincts, trust your gut and remember you know YOU better than anyone else!’
