Amy Dowden's Breast Cancer Journey
- “Strictly Come Dancing” star Amy Dowden experienced a health scare when she collapsed back stage on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing show over the weekend, but she’s been enjoying life since finishing up chemotherapy treatment in her battle against stage 3 breast cancer last year.
- The Welsh professional ballroom and Latin American dancer’s breast cancer journey began in April 2023, when she discovered the “first lump” just before she was set to go on a honeymoon with her husband. An MRI ultimately revealed a second tumor, prompting her to undergo a mastectomy and more tumors to be found, leading to her stage 3 diagnosis, which means the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- After cancer and other health challenges, experts suggest working on their mental health with positive psychology. Positive psychology focuses on encouraging patients to feel positive and finding what brings a sense of vitality to their lives. According to psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman, the three wellsprings of vitality are connecting with others, contribution, or adding value to the lives of others, and feeling challenged.
- Experts recommend anyone facing cancer should make sure they continue to prioritize their overall well-being and do the things that they love. It can help fuel a positive attitude.
- Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between are valid.
Dowden’s health emergency took place at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, England, and following the incident, her spokesperson said in a statement, according to BBC, “Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution. She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern.
Read MoreAdditionally, BBC reported that East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said in a statement, “We were called just after 21:00 [9p.m.] BST on Saturday to attend a medical emergency.View this post on Instagram
“An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet Hospital for further care.”
A BBC spokesperson later said, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Amy Dowden was unable to be in tonight’s results show.”
It has since been revealed that English professional dancer Lauren Oakley will take Dowden’s place while she recovers.
On Sunday, Gill wrote alongside some photos he shared on social media of him and Dowden, “On behalf of both @amy_dowden and I, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for voting for us and wishing us well.
“We absolutely loved our performance on Saturday night and are SO grateful to be through to another week on @bbcstrictly Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support.”
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It’s clear how much Dowden has been enjoying life after cancer and returning to dancing on stage, as she took to Instagram to express how “grateful” and proud” she was of her dancing partner Gill.
She wrote, “Every week you have amazed me, with your new performance, lead and attention to detail. Loving this beautiful journey with you!
“Thank you to all who supported and voted for us. We promise to continue working hard and so excited for the week ahead.”
In another post featuring a mirror selfie of her and Gill dressed up for the show, Dowden said, “That was nerve wracking! But as always so proud of you @jbgill and no matter what pushing through!
“Proud of us! Let’s keep pushing and most importantly having fun!”
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Amy Dowden’s Cancer Journey
Amy Dowden’s breast cancer journey began in April 2023 when she discovered the “first lump” just before she was set to go on a honeymoon with her husband.
“I was originally going to have a lumpectomy, radiotherapy, and hormone treatment,” Dowden said during a Coppafeel Instagram chat.
“Then, after my MRI, they found another tumor so then it changed into a mastectomy, and then, after my mastectomy, unfortunately, they found even more tumors,” Dowden added leading to a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis. During stage 3, the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
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Dowden was told she needed to undergo chemotherapy to begin cancer treatment which made her “scared,” but she bravely moved forward with treatment. Her oncologist reassured her, “With chemo [she’s] got a really good chance of a cure,” BBC reported.
Since she had to focus on her health, Dowden didn’t participate in last season’s “Strictly Dancing” series. Despite not being able to dance in person, she remained in contact with her team. She has since returned to the show for the 2024 season and has been impressing her fans as she performed with British TV presenter and singer JB Gill.
Although, Dowden is now recovering and her spots on the show has been temporarily replaced Lauren Oakley, we’re delighted to see how much the beloved the dancer has improved, especially since her sepsis infection. She also dealt with an emotional stage of her cancer journey, which is hair loss.
Dowden’s return to the show comes after the professional dancer announced she finished up chemotherapy treatment in an emotional video shared on Instagram.
Expert Breast Cancer Resources
- How To Reduce the Risk Of A Breast Cancer Recurrence
- Breast Cancer: Introduction to Prevention & Screening
- How to Avoid False Positive Cancer Results in Women With Dense Breasts: Ultrasounds Used in Addition To Mammograms
- Mammograms Are Still the Best Tool for Detecting Breast Cancer — A Warning About Thermography
- What Happens During a Double Mastectomy?
She captioned her heartwarming post, featuring footage of the dancer being greeting by hospital staffers and loved ones before walking over to the iconic bell, “I rang the bell and I’m so thankful I got too! My toughest journey yet!
“These past few months I look back and think how did my body get through this both physically and mentally. From the words I’m so sorry Amy, it’s cancer and what’s your fertility plans. To having a mastectomy, two weeks later hormone daily injections for egg retrieval, a little Crohns flare up and then on to chemo plus shutting down my ovaries on the same day which sadly lead to sepsis, blood clots, losing my hair, my eyebrows, lashes (I have a few hanging in there) and three toe nails. But also it’s taken away my love of life these past few months and of course my DANCING!”
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She continued, “It’s been tough. But hopefully has now given me chance of more life which I’m eternally grateful for and I will never take for granted again. I’ll never be the same Amy again but, what I do know is I’m so much stronger than I ever knew and I have made the most amazing friends along the way.”
The video clip of Dowden, showing the realty star wearing a black skirt and white shirt with the words “Go Grab Life” printed on it, was accompanied by Whitney Houston’s powerful song, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.”
Dowden also acknowledged how she’s been dealing with hair loss, a normal side effect of cancer, adding, “I hate looking in the mirror at the moment but I know this is a small price to pay and ‘this too shall pass.’”
She continued, “I’m so grateful to the wonderful Sheldon oncology unit and my family and friends who have been there endlessly for Ben and I. We did it! All though my journey isn’t over yet, this day of ringing the chemo bell felt like an endless distance away and at points I thought I’d never make it to. I’m so proud of myself.”
Dowden also noted that her next step is an MRI to determine whether more surgery would be needed.
“Thank you all for your love and support along the way. My dancing shoes are warming up and I can’t wait to get back in the training room!” she concluded. “Now please remember to check yourselves, if you aren’t who is?!”
When Is It Okay to Share Your Diagnosis?
Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, like Dowden has down in the past, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between, are valid.
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explains.
Questions like “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?” are things Plutchik says patients take into consideration.
Dr. Plutchik explains, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
A cancer journey can last months to years, which means cancer warriors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a cancer patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik further explained.
Dr. Plutchik stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.
Adjusting to Life After a Diagnosis
A cancer diagnosis will undoubtedly upend your life in some form, but learning to cope with the onset of changes can make the adjustment easier to bear. You may notice your emotions and feelings fluctuating, ranging from high anxiety to depression. Experiencing a range of emotions and feelings is completely normal.
Dr. Plutchik says your emotions are likely to be fluid in the first few days, weeks, and possibly even months after a diagnosis.
Cancer patients are encouraged to build a support system of people they trust to help manage these emotions during this sensitive period. Mental health professionals are also very helpful in managing emotions during the cancer journey.
Cancer and treatment can have an impact on your physical appearance. Chemotherapy, for example, often causes hair loss, which can drastically alter how you view yourself.
WATCH: Dealing With Anxiety After Hair Loss
Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin explained to SurvivorNet, “Cancer changes who you are both physically and emotionally.”
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology questioned how self-esteem should be considered in cancer patients. Researchers noted cancer patients’ framing of their diagnosis and how they cope with their diagnosis and subsequent treatment impacts their self-esteem throughout their cancer journeys.
“Adaptive adjustment strategies (positive reframing, use of emotional support, active coping, acceptance, and planning) in breast cancer patients were associated with high self-esteem. Social support also appears to be strongly related to self-esteem,” the study says.
WATCH: How a breast cancer survivor embraced changes to her body.
Dr. Strongin suggests looking at the part or parts of your body impacted by the cancer or cancer treatment to help you cope with body changes. She recommends creating a regular practice of accepting your body image because it enables you to accept your cancer journey emotionally and physically.
“As you allow yourself to spend more time looking at all of you, you will begin having a new relationship with your body. It may not happen immediately, but you can start honoring and thanking your new body with time.
“Just because the treatment is behind you, the emotional recovery can take longer,” Dr. Strongin adds.
If you find yourself wrestling with your emotions because of a diagnosis, remember you don’t have to go it alone. Your support group is filled with loved ones who are there to help you on your journey.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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