Strictly’s Amy Dowden opens up about the emotional and physical challenges she faced post-cancer treatment and how she’s looking after herself now.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden has opened up about her battle with cancer, revealing she experienced an “all time low” after completing treatment but now feels like a “newer, stronger” version of herself, eager to make a comeback on the dance floor.
The 34 year old professional dancer made a valiant return to the BBC show last year after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. However, her journey was cut short when she had to bow out mid-series due to a foot injury while partnered with JLS sensation JB Gill. The setback prompted the Welsh star to ponder her recovery process and the importance of self-compassion.
“I feel like Amy’s back, but actually a newer, stronger version of me,” she confessed. “I’m really grateful to be in this position. [But] It’s been a long road of recovery.”
After undergoing a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and entering a treatment-induced menopause as part of her cancer battle, Amy admitted to being ‘a bit naïve’ upon ringing the bell – a symbolic gesture marking the end of cancer treatment. “I honestly thought that that’s it, I had my life back.”
Yet, the path to regaining her former strength and mental well-being proved more challenging than expected. She opened up about how this made her feel at a recent launch of the Keep Ahead disease awareness campaign.
The campaign, spearheaded and financed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK, is designed to shed light on life post-breast cancer. While ringing the bell might appear as a moment of joy for people outside of cancer treatment, Amy’s experience tells a different story.
In the period following her bell-ringing, Amy confessed to hitting an “all time low”. “I was very emotional,” she said. “I was scared, petrified and thought ‘what if I haven’t done enough.”
Yet, she experienced ‘guilt’ over these emotions: “I felt why am I feeling like this when I should be happy and celebrating when deep inside I felt angry and bitter.”
She highlighted the extensive road to recovery; regaining stamina, rebuilding confidence – particularly in her line of work. Moreover, she had to come to terms with what she had been through.
“After I rang the bell, I thought I was done, but I was deluded… The road to recovery was pretty grim to be honest with you and my stamina levels were the lowest they’ve ever been in my life. Having to start that journey to the dance floor felt like a million miles away.”
She continued: “After the last chemo, I don’t want to say I felt worse, but you know, yeah it did, because you feel like you’re doing something during it [cancer treatment]. Then all of a sudden, you face the reality of trying to rebuild a new version of you.”
But the dancer has since battled her way back to fitness and is now committed to living life to its fullest. She has recently completed filming the latest series of Celebrity Hunted, and concluded her dance tour across the UK earlier this year alongside fellow Strictly star Carlos Gu.
She has also been ensuring she dedicates quality time with family and friends whilst making rest a priority. “I’ve learned to take time to rest, recover and spend time with my loved ones.”
During Celebrity Hunted, Amy was required to go “off-grid” and avoid using electronic gadgets including her mobile – a digital cleanse she plans to adopt more frequently to be more engaged with her husband Ben.
Amy explained: “I was always on my phone and I’ve learned that you don’t need to be contactable 24/7, and to put the phone away and appreciate what’s in front of you. I’m not going to just scroll through social media and watch what everyone else is doing.”
That relaxation and recovery has led to a happier Amy and now she believes she can come back to Strictly even better. She said: “Last year, I put so much pressure on myself. I’ve taken that pressure away from me now and I can’t wait to just enjoy it.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
