Amy Dowden has opened up about the impact her cancer journey has had on her identity and sense of self during an appearance on Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer on Friday evening.
The 35-year-old Welsh dancer, who underwent a second mastectomy just five weeks ago, spoke candidly about her evolving relationship with her body following years of treatment.
“Five weeks ago, I had another mastectomy, so I'm no longer emotionally attached to my body, but I am so proud of how far it's come, and I'm so grateful for another shot at life,” she told viewers.
The Strictly Come Dancing professional who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, reflected on how dramatically different her circumstances are compared with her appearance on the same fundraising programme two years earlier.
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Amy Dowden made an appearance on Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer
|CHANNEL 4
She revealed she continues to receive monthly injections at the oncology unit as part of her treatment, and said her hormone-fed cancer has caused medically induced menopause, a further challenge she must navigate.
“I don't know if I'll have the honour of being able to become a mum, which I desperately want to be able to,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
Ms Dowden expressed deep gratitude for the clinicians who have supported her throughout her battle. “I'm so grateful for my medical team, the doctors and nurses who have kept me alive.”
The dancer also reflected on her 2023 appearance on the programme, when she appeared with a shaved head during the height of her treatment.
The dancer underwent a second mastectomy just five weeks ago
|“Two years ago, very different story when I was here last,” she recalled. “I had no hair, I didn't even recognise myself, actually, but I'm so proud of how far I've come.”
She described that period as the most challenging of her life.
“At the time I was going through the hardest journey of my life,” she said.
Ms Dowden was frank about the emotional toll of her diagnosis.
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Ms Dowden was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023
|“A cancer diagnosis, it changes you forever. I'm no longer the person I was, and that's not by choice.”
The star admitted she struggled deeply with her appearance and physical exhaustion.
“I hated the way I looked. I had no energy and I was scared,” she said, adding that she often cried herself to sleep.
Her husband, she revealed, would overhear her quietly weeping in the shower.
“I just longed for that old Amy back and I know I'm never, ever going to get her back,” she said.
Ms Dowden explained that for a long time she believed she would never return to dancing.
“I never thought I was going to get back on the dancefloor. I couldn't see how I was going to get Amy back again.”
She was unable to partner a celebrity on Strictly in 2023 due to her treatment, but has since made her return to the BBC One show.
Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner on Strictly
|(Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
“I just longed for that old Amy back and I know I'm never, ever going to get her back,” she said.
Ms Dowden explained that for a long time she believed she would never return to dancing.
“I never thought I was going to get back on the dancefloor. I couldn't see how I was going to get Amy back again.”
She was unable to partner a celebrity on Strictly in 2023 due to her treatment, but has since made her return to the BBC One show.