Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden had a second mastectomy last month
Sara Baalla Screen Time TV Reporter
10:25, 01 Dec 2025
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has admitted “every day I live in fear” in a heartbreaking cancer update.
The 35-year-old Welsh professional dancer was notably diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 after finding a lump in her breast while on her honeymoon.
She was forced to miss Strictly that year, and bravely documented her health journey, while she was supported from fans and co-stars alike.
A few months later, Amy announced that there was “no evidence of disease”. However, last month, the star revealed that she was having another mastectomy after consulting with her medical team.
Amy has documented her second mastectomy for ITV’s Lorraine, with the first part of her journey airing on Monday (December 1).
Strictly’s Amy Dowden had a second mastectomy last month(Image: ITV)READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing star flooded with support as they share heartfelt statementREAD MORE: Strictly Come Dancing star lands new role away from BBC show
During the heartbreaking segment, the dancer admitted: “I think the shocking thing for me with a cancer diagnosis was I thought that once I’d rang that bell, it was going to be all done and dusted. But it really, really isn’t.
“It was two years ago since I finished my active chemotherapy, and in the following year, unfortunately with my mammogram, it picked up specs on my other breast. Although they came back as pre-cancerous cells and specs, it’s still always been in the back of my mind.”
Amy went on to reveal that she was always “worried” after having a tumour in her right breast, which led to ductal cancer. When doctors first operated, they then found two other tumours, which confirmed her decision to have a mastectomy.
On choosing to have another surgery, the star said: “This is preventative. I’m young. I want children. I would do anything to just have my old life back and not be going through this. I certainly don’t want to have surgery again. But what I do know is I can’t go through another cancer diagnosis again. I can’t.”
The dancer has documented her journey for ITV’s Lorraine(Image: ITV)
Amy went on: “I’ve been eliminated from Strictly and I do feel like the universe is telling me something. And you know what? Going to bed every night with peace of mind, I think will mean more than anything to me.”
After having a consultation with her surgeon, the dancer reflected on the “dark” point of her life, saying: “Every day I live in fear of [the cancer] returning.”
Amy and her husband Ben discussed all of the options before she underwent surgery in November.
Explaining how she was feeling emotional ahead of the operation, Amy said: “I’m feeling obviously nervous, anxious, but I just want to get it done now… I got rid of all my mastectomy stuff only in the summer because I thought, ‘I’m never going to need this again’. And here we are again.
“People say to me, ‘Oh, you’re so strong. You’re so brave’. But you have no choice, do you? I think I’m just ultimately right now making the right decision for me.”
ITV viewers can follow Amy’s progress on Lorraine throughout December.
Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, while Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV1 at 9am
If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, visit Macmillan Cancer Support or Stand Up to Cancer
