Strictly Come Dancing stars and Gemma Atkinson have been among the first to rush to show their public support for Amy Dowden after she revealed she has breast cancer.
The Welsh dancer first discovered a lump in her right breast in April, the day before she and her husband Ben Jones flew to the Maldives for their belated honeymoon. "I was in the shower and I felt this hard lump in my right breast," Amy told Hello! Magazine.
"I was in shock; I checked again. I thought: 'Right, it could just be period-related, or so many things. I decided I was going to keep an eye on it for a few weeks."
Amy, who has appeared on the BBC's hit dance show since 2017, said she continued to notice the lump while she was on holiday but started to "check it less" out of worry. "I didn't want to flare my Crohn's up," she told the publication.
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"Then, once we were back home, I went to do a [dance] show with Ben and I was putting some shimmer on and the lump felt so much bigger. I just knew I needed to go to the doctors."
The 32-year-old, who only received the diagnosis of grade 3 breast cancer last week, shared how it was her experience of doing the CoppaTrek! with Gi – the fundraising 100km walk led by Giovanna Fletcher, the wife of her former dance partner Tom Fletcher, in support of breast health awareness charity CoppaFeel! – last June that ultimately led her to discover her own breast cancer.
"This last year, obviously, I made a conscious effort to check my breasts. CoppaFeel! has now potentially saved my life, because I don't know how long this lump could have been there before I would have noticed and done something about it," she said. "So me speaking out might end up saving some other people's lives because they start checking their breasts."
On receiving the diagnosis, she said: "All I wanted to know after I was told was: 'Ok, what's the plan? How long until I’m back on the dance floor?'" She added: "My doctor explained to me that there are three grades, and three is the most aggressive, but they feel like they've caught mine early and to not be too alarmed because grade 3 would be expected in somebody of my age.
Amy is still waiting to hear more before she is given a full treatment plan. Sharing her exclusive interview with Hello on Wednesday morning (May 24), Amy wrote on Instagram: "Hey all, I've got some news which isn't easy to share. I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer." She added: "But I'm determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it."
Responding to the post, fellow Strictly dancer Dianne Buswell said: "Our Welsh dragon is going to fight this !!!! and I can not wait for the moment you are back on that dance floor with us. We love you so much Amy." Former co-star Oti Mabuse replied: "Sending you love and power and all the strength - you’re such an incredible woman. Love you Amy! Take care of yourself."
Johannes Radebe said: "Sending you love and strength Darling Amy." Nadiya Bychkova posted: "Amy darling. Sending you all the love and the strength to get through this. Take care of yourself." Vito Coppola shared: "We are All with you Amy, by your side." And Gemma Atkinson added: "We’re all Fighting behind you all the way Amy!!!!! Sending so much love to you."
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