Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer at just 32 years old.
The dancer, who has become a favourite on the hit Saturday night BBC show, confirmed the shocking news, telling fans she is unsure if she will be able to take part in the upcoming series that begins this autumn.
Stage 3 breast cancer means that the disease has spread to the lymph nodes surrounding the breast as well as the skin of the breast or the chest wall. There are around 55,900 new breast cancer cases diagnosed across the UK every year, according to Cancer Research, with nearly 11,500 deaths.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Scotland, totalling 28 per cent of cancer diagnosis, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, according to the Scottish Public Health Observatory.
Spotting the signs and getting an early diagnosis can be life saving so it is important to know the symptoms to look out for.
A lump or area of thickened skin on the breast if often the first sign of breast cancer, but there are a range of other warning signs that should be looked out for.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
According to the NHS, breast cancer symptoms in woman may include:
- a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
How to check your breasts
First of all it is important to note that finding a lump on or around your breast does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer. In fact, 9 out of 10 lump are harmless, according to Breast Cancer UK.
However, it important to check your breasts for any bumps or abnormalities on a regular basis.
Do this by walking your fingertips in a spiral around your whole breast and under your armpits.
You should try to do this every month but try to avoid checking around the time of your period as hormones can change the look and feel of your breasts a little.
It is often easier to complete the check in the shower while you are washing as the soap can make it easier to move your fingers across and feel around the area properly.
There are other changes, as well as lumps, to look out for too. Inflation, dimpling, or rash on your breast should be checked by a doctor.
Changes to your nipple such as it becoming sunken, leaking, crusty or any abnormal discharge should also be checked out.
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