BBC Strictly’s Amy Dowden gives health update over 'frustrating' cancer treatment side-effect

BBC Strictly’s Amy Dowden gives health update over 'frustrating' cancer treatment side-effect

WACTH HERE: Amy Dowden gives update in previous Instagram post

Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 12/04/2024

- 17:26

Dowden announced in February she no longer had any 'evidence of disease'

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has updated fans about an ongoing side effect of her cancer treatment.

Dowden, 33, announced in February in a celebratory social media post that she no longer had "evidence of disease" but won’t be able to get the official all-clear for five years.


The Welsh dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer last year after discovering a lump just days before she jetted off on honeymoon with her husband Benjamin Jones.

She kept fans updated throughout her journey battling the illness, sharing emotional posts about losing her hair and missing out on taking part in Strictly Come Dancing so she could undergo treatment.

While her recent good news delighted fans, Dowden revealed in a recent update she still suffers from side effects, sharing this week how her eyelashes had fallen out again as her treatment continues.

Taking to her Instagram story on Friday on the way to a hospital visit, she recorded a message to her followers.

Amy Dowden

Amy Dowden shared a health update with fans

Instagram amy_dowden

"Good morning, everyone,” she smiled, adding: “It's been ages since I've come on and spoken to you all.

"But I'm not going to lie, I've come an hour early by mistake for my blood test at the hospital so I thought, do you know what, I'm going to come on and say hello to you all.

"Excuse the wild hair. I have put this serum on it to help keep the condition a bit, but it's gone a bit curly and a bit wild."

She went on to point out: "I've also lost my eyelashes again, only a few of them. They are growing back again, but I did read when I was having treatment quite a few posts from ladies who said that they had lost them again, like after the 12-week cycle they lost them once more.

"So let me know if this has happened to you. It's a little bit frustrating, but it's not the end of the world. Anyway, I didn't come on to say that to you but I got carried away."

Amy Dowden

The dancer was diagnosed with breast cancer last year

Getty

In February, Dowden shared a snap of her smiling broadly, which she captioned: "NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of!

"My biggest accomplishment yet! I won’t be getting the all-clear for 5 years, especially with a hormone-fed cancer. But it was all worth it. Words I never thought I’d hear at one point.

"So grateful for all the care I received and continue to have.To my husband, family and friends who supported me unconditionally and to you guys!

"Thank you! I will still need a monthly injection for 5 years and regular checkups."

Amy Dowden

Dowden shared another health update on Instagram

Instagram amy_dowden

Earlier this month, the choreographer announced how "grateful" she felt to have been given "another shot at life" as she reflected on how much she missed Strictly.

Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, she told stand-in host Christine Lampard: "I'm doing really well. I'm back in the incredible Empress Ballroom [in Blackpool].

Dowden revealed she'd hit the one-year milestone of discovering the illness: "A year ago I was here with my students and I found the lump and was flying off on honeymoon the next day.

"But I can't believe in this last year I've come full circle, from mastectomy to gruelling chemotherapy treatment, a few obstacles along the way."

She went on: "But it all worked and I've been given another shot at life and I'm so grateful for that, I really am."

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