Amy Dowden shares an inspiring new update on her cancer journey

Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden has left fans in tears with an update on her cancer journey, posted a year after she was diagnosed. The dancer, from Caerphilly, was diagnosed with aggressive stage three cancer in May last year.

This weekend, she took to Instagram to share a video montage of her time spent in the hospital over the past year undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. The star shared photos of supportive friends and family, as well as photos of the heartbreaking moment she started losing her hair.

The video features Amy attending multiple award ceremonies and live Strictly Come Dancing performances, all set to the inspirational soundtrack of Miley Cyrus’ The Climb.

Amy wrote: “For the past few weeks and especially days, I have been constantly thinking about this time last year that I had this test, or this date. One year ago today, what I thought was confirmed, but my life also became reality. changed forever when the doctor said sorry Amy I can’t believe it’s been a year and all that my body has been through and accomplished.

“A year ago Ben, me and my twin sister cried together and we had to pull together as we had to break the news to my parents and just knowing the heartache and worry it would cause. I used to stay up for hours. with my mind going all sorts of places, would I get to Christmas, would I dance again, how would Ben do, I don’t want to lose my hair, I’d like to know then how I’d be a year down the line.

“I constantly told myself this too shall pass and after a year my hair is growing back, my energy is getting better, I’m back dancing and most importantly I’m spending time with family and friends and appreciating life .”

She added: “To those who are struggling right now, I send them love and strength. To those family and friends who stuck by me, I am forever grateful! I know I’m lucky and blessed for another chance at life, here’s to a healthier, better, happier, dance-filled year… Now, have you checked your chest this month?

Friends, family and fans took to the comments section. One said: “You’ve come so far and that beautiful smile and strength shines through the x.”

A second added: “Absolutely most proud and in awe of you and your endless strength, resilience, strength, determination, courage and selflessness.”

A third wrote: “I choked to see this. My son is a twin and is now 3.5 years old and 2 years in remission. What you and all your family then I’m sorry you joined our club. The worst club in the world. full of the best people x.”

Amy was told that there is currently no cancer left in her body, but she will need monthly injections for the next five years.

Her post comes just weeks after doctors broke the news to Amy that she was cancer-free after several rounds of chemotherapy. However, he needs monthly injections for the next five years.

Amy said she is “working hard” to get her body ready to return to Strictly Come Dancing after her battle. The professional dancer, 33, first found a lump in her breast the day before she left for her honeymoon in the Maldives with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones.

She was later diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy before undergoing chemotherapy.

She told BBC Breakfast: “I can’t believe it’s been a year since I found the lump. But I am so grateful this year for the treatment I have received, the NHS and all the charities, everyone who has helped me to still be here today.”

She added: “I’m so grateful to have a new chance at life. but I never thought in a million years that at 32 I would be diagnosed with breast cancer. I was living my life to the fullest on Strictly Come Dancing, I’d just got married, but cancer doesn’t discriminate.”

Dowden now supports The Big Help Out, a campaign to show how volunteering benefits both communities and the people who take part, and she said: “Unfortunately, one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, but charities like Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Young Lives Vs Cancer, Breast Cancer Now, they wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for volunteers.

“And volunteers are the backbone, the heartbeat of all these charities that help fund research, the reason they’re still alive today, to support not just those going through it, but their families.

“But as a volunteer you have so much pride, it helps your mental health, there are so many benefits.”

Asked what has helped her over the past year, she said: “I have amazing friends and family. The oncology unit, the nurses, the breast nurses and also the public support has been incredible. And I think the goal and the dream to get back on the dance floor as well, because I missed it so much.

She added: “I’m working really hard and getting my body fully back into rehab and physio, I’ve got a brilliant team. So fingers crossed I’ll be back on your screens dancing later. If Strictly gets me back, I’ll be back.”