Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden’s Breast Most cancers Prognosis
Amy Dowden has been updating her followers along with her breast most cancers journey, however has now revealed that she’s began sporting a wig following her second spherical of chemotherapy.
Following her second analysis of additional tumours in current months, the “Strictly Come Dancing” star took to her Instagram Story on 20 August to embrace her new take care of the “heartbreaking” actuality of dropping her hair. Regardless of opening up in regards to the “little wins” like “managing some walks, beautiful soups and smoothies and…feeling even higher right now”, Dowden has began to expertise hair loss on account of her most cancers therapy.
“What I’ve discovered more durable this time round and the previous few days is the hair shredding,” she defined. “Though I’m chilly capping” – which is a hat that may be worn previous to chemotherapy to cut back the blood circulation to the scalp, and stop hair loss, as per NHS England – “you hope to maintain 50 per cent of your hair and there are additionally so many advantages to the hair rising again faster too. However as a lot as I ready myself waking up on a regular basis gently combing my hair with a large comb and seeing what comes out is heartbreaking – personally for me,” she mentioned.
Dowden defined that she now solely washes her hair a couple of times per week, and isn’t utilizing any heated styling instruments in a bid to stop additional hair loss. “I simply do not feel like me. So it is time to deliver out the wig, I say! And get used to it and assist me really feel like me,” she added. “I do know this may not final eternally however throughout this time and figuring out usually these few months are my favorite time of the yr and I really feel myself wishing these months away simply hurts a lot. I do know and telling myself the way in which you look hasn’t modified Amy who I’m on the within.”
Whereas an extra analysis – which she didn’t go into element about beforehand – “wasn’t within the plan”, Dowden defined that her oncologist mentioned “that with chemo, I’ve acquired a extremely good probability of a treatment”. She added, as through ITVX: “For me, straightaway, [it] was simply my dancing. You’ll be able to take away my boob, however you may’t take my dancing away from me.”
The performer had plans to return to the dance competitors later this yr, however this has been placed on maintain while she undergoes therapy. She started her breast most cancers therapy firstly of summer time, posting an image from her hospital mattress on 7 June, smiling and with two thumbs up. “The 1st step to beating most cancers! Rrrrrrready for this combat and extra decided than ever to get again on the dance flooring,” she captioned the submit.
Associates flocked to her feedback with assist and love. Tom Fletcher, who was partnered with Dowden on the fact present in 2021, wrote, “Sending you all of the love right now. Us Fletchers are proper behind you. X” whereas her fellow skilled dancers, together with Giovanni Pernice and Gorka Marquez, added coronary heart emojis.
The skilled dancer was thrust into the limelight when she joined “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2017, and has since turn into a fan-favourite. She got here second in 2019 with movie star TV presenter Karim Zeroual. and most not too long ago was paired with actor James Bye within the final sequence.
The star advised her followers the information of her diagnoses on 24 Might through an Instagram submit. “Hey all, I’ve acquired some information which is not simple to share,” the assertion started. “I’ve not too long ago been recognized with breast most cancers however I am decided to get again on that dance flooring earlier than you understand it. Welsh love, Amy x”.
Hiya! Journal reported that the star noticed a tough lump on her proper breast the day earlier than she flew to her belated honeymoon within the Maldives along with her husband, fellow dancer, Ben Jones.
She advised the outlet of her signs: “I used to be in shock; I checked once more. I assumed: ‘Proper, it may simply be period-related, or so many issues. I made a decision I used to be going to control it for a number of weeks. On vacation, placing physique lotion on each day, I used to be noticing it.” She continued: “Then, as soon as we have been again residence, I went to do a [dance] present with Ben and I used to be placing some shimmer on and the lump felt a lot larger. I simply knew I wanted to go to the medical doctors.”
Dowden, who has beforehand raised consciousness for Crohn’s Illness, a situation she has lived with since a toddler, is now wanting to increase consciousness of breast most cancers as properly. We hope that Dowden makes a speedy restoration, and we want her all the most effective. Hold studying for extra details about breast most cancers signs.
Signs of breast most cancers might embrace:
- Modifications in pores and skin texture, e.g. puckering/dimpling
- Swelling in your armpit or round your collarbone
- Lumps and thickening
- Nipple discharge
- A sudden, uncommon change in measurement or form
- Nipple inversion and modifications in route
- A rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding space
- Fixed, uncommon ache in your breast or armpit
For those who or somebody you understand has been affected by this story, you may communicate to a nurse at Most cancers Analysis UK on 0808 800 4040 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
