Amy Dowden breaks down in tears as she bravely cuts hair off amid cancer treatment in emotional clip
Amy Dowden has shared a video of her having her hair cut off amid her cancer treatment
INSTAGRAM/AMY DOWDEN
Amy Dowden was left in tears as friends and family gathered around her to support the dancer as she cut off her hair.
The 33-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer back in May and has been regularly sharing updates with her fans about how her battle against the illness is going.
This has included candid and incredibly brave accounts of her time in and out of hospital after undergoing chemotherapy to combat the spread.
Dowden has also regularly shared with fans how "heartbreaking" she has found the prospect of losing her hair as a result of the treatment.
On Thursday, however, Dowden admitted it was time for her to cut her hair off amid ongoing treatment after telling fans she "tried my best to save it".
In a touching clip, Dowden - who has been branded "amazing" by a former Strictly pro for raising awareness about the illness - can be seen crying as friends and family show their support by each cutting a lock of hair off.
Amy Dowden was left in tears as her friends and family showed their support
INSTAGRAM/AMY DOWDEN
She wrote in the accompanying caption: "Taking control- The hardest step so far. I tried my best to save it. I know it’s only hair but these past few months I’ve had what feels like so much taken away from me that has made me not feel like Amy.
"I’m missing every possible aspect of dancing. I just wanted to keep my identity with my hair and I tried telling myself it wouldn’t go."But I would dread the pain of waking up to the shredding everyday," she continued.
Dowden's message went on: "I’ve not been able to take control of this journey so far, but as you can see with some of my loved ones I took the courage and CONTROL.
"It’s going to take some time to get use to and learn to love and embrace but, I’m now focussing-not on the hair I’m losing but the hair I’m going to get back and the happy dancing, tea lover who talks way to fast whilst rolling every rrrrr who is still there inside with or without hair!
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"Since taking control, I feel I can now see the finish line. This for me was a hurdle I couldn’t even bring myself to think or speak about.
"I’ve done it and I’ve also crossed the half way chemo line," an upbeat Dowden triumphantly stated.
She admitted the decision to cut her hair has left her "feeling empowered and positive".
Dowden concluded her post by sending her "love, power, strength and courage" to other sufferers.
The dancer was soon inundated with support by emotional followers who praised her for the candid and heartfelt insight to her journey.
One fan encouraged: "Your beauty shines even brighter now - you haven’t lost, you’ve gained, in strength, Grace, courage and beauty. Keeping you in our thoughts."
While a second weighed in: "Utterly beautiful with or without hair, and I can’t imagine how hard it was for you to do this, and how hard it was to post it, but rest assured there will be someone else today, watching this post, about to go through the same thing as you who you’ve just given courage to...
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Amy Dowden was diagnosed with cancer in May 2023
INSTAGRAM/AMY DOWDEN
"You are utterly amazing and we are all behind your journey. Sending love and positive vibes you’ve got darling xx."
And former Strictly competitor Michelle Visage was also among the well-wishers as she penned: "YOU ARE A WARRIOR AND THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE." (sic)