Amy Dowden shares health update after revealing she needed second mastectomy

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has confirmed she’s had her second mastectomy and is on the road to recovery once again.

The professional dancer, 35, was diagnosed with cancer in May 2023 and underwent intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and a mastectomy.

In a recent update, she shared that while there was no new diagnosis, her medical team had advised that a second mastectomy was the best course of action.

Thankfully, Amy has now shared that the surgery ‘went well’ and she is ‘resting up’.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday night, she wrote: ‘Thank you for all the messages and love. Sorry I’ve not replied to anyone, (only just looked at my phone).

‘Surgery went well and lots of sleep and resting up. Hubby & Family have been looking after me and the besties have turned up with the goods and nothing is stopping us from watching the traitors…keeping the tradition going 💖🎀🙏.’

Along with the update, she shared a few pictures of herself in a hospital gown, surrounded by her family.

She previously said that doctors had found no further sign of the disease, but she wouldn’t get the official ‘all clear’ until five years had passed.

While on It Takes Two, she said: ‘As you all know, I’ve always been very open about my health and the care I receive. So I’d like to start by being clear what I am about to share is not to treat a new cancer diagnosis.

‘However following a recent appointment with my incredible medical team, we’ve decided that I’ll be having another mastectomy this week. They’re confident that all will go well and I can expect a straightforward recovery.

‘Once I have healed I look forward to rejoining my Strictly family. Of course I’m going to miss not being there so much but I will be watching from home and look forward to cheering everyone on. Thank you always for all the support.’

Amy also said Strictly had saved her life, particularly when dancing with McFly’s Tom Fletcher in 2021.

‘Tom and (his wife) Giovanna worked very closely with breast cancer charities, and that is what led to me finding my tumour and being diagnosed with cancer,’ she explained.

‘Without Tom, I wouldn’t be here now.’

Amy was able to return to Strictly after her treatment, appearing in a group dance despite not being able to compete.

‘Strictly was amazing and still found a way for me to be part of the show,’ she said.

Holding back tears, she explained: ‘Being able to perform in that number gave me hope and it was what I needed. It just was everything.’

This year, Amy returned and was paired with Thomas Skinner but she and the controversial Apprentice star were the first to be booted off.

When asked by Tess Daly about their time on the show, Thomas said: ‘I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing. It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it.

‘I can’t really dance that well but I’ve had fun! Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good, ‘cause you’re a different class.’

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