Amy Dowden apologised to her fans on social media after releasing a major update about her chemotherapy treatment.
In an Instagram Story post, the Strictly Come Dancing star apologised to her followers for being less active on her site in recent weeks.
The 33-year-old then shared an update that has made her feel more ‘positive’ despite everything she has gone through since her breast cancer diagnosis, as her hair is coming back at a rapid pace.
In her message, Amy wrote: ‘Hey hey, thank you for all the lovely messages the last few weeks. Sorry for being a little silent here. I needed a little time and space.
‘I’m still missing and craving what I should be doing but starting to accept I need to be patient.’
She continued: ‘After a crazy week of hospital tests and apts last week Ben and I then went away for a few days and it’s exactly what we both needed.
‘Hope 2024 has been treating you all well. Once again thanks for all the love.
‘And of course I need to remind you, have you checked yourself yet this year? If not get checking.’
Amy stated in follow-up updates on her Story that her hair is gradually sprouting back after numerous rounds of chemotherapy.
Sharing a video of herself displaying her hair to the camera, she wrote in the caption: ‘Also so grateful for the hair growth so far. My eye lashes and brows are back and the hair is growing.
‘This is for anyone going through treatment… Remember like I keep telling myself “this too shall pass”. This is 11 weeks since my last chemo.’
Amy compared images of herself from December 6, when her hair was much shorter, to the present day, stating she couldn’t believe the difference.
‘To now… can’t believe it. The re growth felt so slow but looking back it’s unreal and it’s helping me feel more positive,’ she said.
Amy originally disclosed her stage three breast cancer diagnosis in May of last year.
The dancer had a mastectomy, then in July she announced that a second diagnosis of ‘another sort of cancer’ required her to undergo chemotherapy.
She previously explained: ‘I was originally going to have a lumpectomy, radiotherapy, and hormone treatment. But then, after my MRI, they found another tumour so then it changed into a mastectomy and then, after my mastectomy, unfortunately, they found even more tumours.
‘And my pathology wasn’t what they were expecting. And they found another type of cancer and then they told me I needed chemo – for me that was a massive blow. It wasn’t in the plan, originally – and I know the plan you can’t get fixated on.
‘So all of a sudden then, I realised. And you get scared. But the oncologist did say that with chemo I’ve got a really good chance of a cure.’
Amy has also battled blood clots, sepsis, and a fractured foot while entertaining fans with special appearances on last year’s season of Strictly.
Breast cancer symptoms
The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast.
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following:
- 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
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
Source My Celebrity Life.