The professional dancer marked two years since one of the scariest moments during her treatment for breast cancer
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden(Image: Amy Dowden Instagram)
Amy Dowden has recalled telling her husband that ‘cancer has taken me’ as she marked two years since one of the scariest moments during her treatment for breast cancer.
The Strictly Come Dancing star recently underwent a second mastectomy, having first being diagnosed with the disease in 2023. Following her initial diagnosis, Amy underwent a single mastectomy and gruelling chemotherapy treatment.
During her treatment, the professional dancer on the BBC One show faced a number of challenges, including a life-threatening battle with sepsis, before she was told in February 2024 that there was “no evidence of disease”.
It was then earlier this month that the Welsh star underwent a second mastectomy, but was keen to stress the surgery wasn’t to treat a new cancer, but that she and her medical team had decided this was the next step following a recent appointment.
Now, Amy has reflected on it being two years since a scary moment during her cancer treatment, in which she was rushed to hospital and discovered she had “another blood clot” on her lung and was at the “lowest” she had been.
Alongside a picture from the time and one take over the weekend, the 35-year-old shared: “EXACTLY two years apart THIS WEEKEND. When I see memories like this it makes me so very proud.
“The bottom picture was after I was rushed into hospital via ambulance very poorly. I didn’t know at the time but I had another blood clot on the lung but also all the sides effects of 8 rounds of gruelling chemotherapy.
The dancer reflected on how things have changed in two years(Image: Amy Dowden Instagram)
“I still remember now as I entered the ambulance I turned to Ben and my dear friend and said cancer has taken me, I’ll never be the same again, ill never dance again ( i was at at the lowest point I’d ever been). My foot also broken and I couldn’t see how I could ever get the old Amy back.
“Pic 2 two years later exactly, after a year of two dancing tours, strictly and fabulous opportunities, but most importantly three weeks after another mastectomy. It didn’t come easy, after a year of real hard work but it got me feeling like me again. I’m posting this to show it’s POSSIBLE. Yes it’s been hard but I DID IT.”
Amy went on to admit: “I wish I rewarded myself more along the way. But gosh am I so proud of how far Ive had to dig deep, especially in the past 12 months. A year ago I thought cancer took my dancing ,I told myself I needed to hang my dancing shoes up but my darling husband Ben and @gkx_carlos proved and made sure it didn’t.
Amy was seen raising a glass to how far she has come(Image: Amy Dowden Instagram)
“Tonight I raise a glass to the past year, working hard, allowing my passion of dance to save me along with my incredible medical team, family and friends. Thank you. I love you all endlessly. Cancer you didn’t take and will not take who I am!”
It comes after Amy was asked about her health as she returned to The One Show, where she was tasked with an important mission. “Fantastic to have you here to help us tonight, it was lovely as well to see you in Blackpool last week [for Strictly’s annual special. We’ve got the special mission all set up already. We have to ask, we know you’ve had another op, how are you feeling,” host Alex Jones asked.
Amy replied: “I’m feeling really well thank you. Three weeks ago yesterday I had another mastectomy. The first week to ten days were a bit rough, but every day I’m feeling better and stronger. I’m just itching to get back on the dancefloor when I’m fully recovered obviously. I’m not going to rush it, but yeah I’m doing really well.”
With The One Show helping celebrate the National Teaching Awards this week, Amy was on hand to help surprise Lynn Griffiths, who has been recognised as the Gold Winner of the Award for Lifetime Achievement in the 2025 Pearson National Teaching Awards.
