Amy Dowden has updated fans on her recovery, marking two weeks since undergoing a second mastectomy.
The Strictly Come Dancing professional, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, has previously faced an intense year of treatment — including her initial mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility preservation and a life-threatening bout of sepsis.
Now recovering from her latest surgery, she shared a post-operative selfie on Instagram, wearing a compression bra and checked brown trousers.
Dowden told followers she’s “proud” of the progress she’s made so far, adding that she’s taking each day as it comes and celebrating “the small wins” as she continues to heal.
The BBC star wrote: “This picture I took the day I come out of hospital, post surgery! Tomorrow marks two weeks since my surgery, and I’m feeling proud with how far I’ve come.
She shared an update with her social media followers (Instagram/Amy Dowden)
“Focusing on the little things, I’m seeing gradual improvements in my movement and being able to do more each day.
“I have been taking it slow, listening to my body, being kind with myself, and celebrating the small wins. But this week I’ve really seen a difference and feeling so like me again. Please remember to check yourself”.
Elsewhere on her Instagram Story, Dowden opened up about her recovery as she explained she is “starting to feel like me again”.
The Welsh dancer shared: “I am doing so much better thank you, since the weekend I’ve started to feel like me again, my energy and movement is back, its not so tender and the bruising has gone down. I’m looking forward to doing physio and getting some more movement.
“Every patient is different so only do what your doctor recommendations. I went to see mine a week after my surgery and I had my dressings removed and its really swollen but I had a look and I’m really happy with it and now its all about recovery and getting back on the dance floor when I’m feeling better.”
Reflecting on needing to momentarily alter her wardrobe in the wake of her recovery, she added: “I can’t wear low tops and I’ve got to wear impression bras and getting a jumper on is hard and in the grand scheme of things its not a problem.
“I’ve got some lovely dresses but I can’t wear them they are just uncomfortable or the impression bras or on show or I can’t get out of them cause I’m restricted movement. So I had an excuse to do some retail therapy.”
The dancer discussed her recovery (Instagram/Amy Dowden)
Dowden then concluded her update by reassuring fans and said she’s looking forward to watching the Strictly Come Dancing stars at Blackpool on Saturday.
She continued: “But yeah I’m doing really really well and two weeks on Thursday and from the weekend onwards I have seen a massive difference in my recovery.
“It feels so good to be out and about again, I’m still taking things day by day and being patient but I’m doing my best. People have been asking for advice but I can only say what helped me.
“Thank you so much and I’m looking forward to Strictly Blackpool!”
Earlier this month, the TV star revealed she was undergoing a second mastectomy.
She previously explained that the surgery was “not to treat a new cancer diagnosis” but came following an appointment with her “incredible” medical team, adding that she wanted to be “clear” and “open” with her followers.
Dowden 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.
Dowden pictured after undergoing her second mastectomy (Instagram/Amy Dowden)
After her diagnosis, Dowden had a mastectomy and underwent chemotherapy, with her treatment preventing her from being able to compete with a celebrity partner on the BBC dancing programme in 2023.
Dowden documented her cancer experience online, and revealed in February 2024 that “no evidence of disease” was found at her latest health check.
In 2024, she returned to the dancefloor, partnered with former JLS star JB Gill, however she was forced to pull out of Strictly midway through the 20th anniversary series due to an injury, and was replaced by Lauren Oakley.
Dowden returned once again in this year’s series where she was partnered with former Apprentice contestant and social media star Thomas Skinner, being eliminated in week two.
Their departure from the show came after Skinner, 34, hit the headlines after admitting to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding in an interview with The Sun, having previously apologised for picking up a journalist’s phone and walking out of a press event for Strictly midway through.
Dowden’s cancer treatment and experience with Crohn’s disease have been depicted in the BBC documentaries Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me and Strictly Amy: Crohn’s And Me.
She was formally made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) earlier in the year for services to fundraising and raising awareness of the inflammatory bowel disease.
