By Matt Jackson

Copyright walesonline

Amy Dowden opened up about a “difficult” part of her cancer journey as she admitted it was “worrying”. The Strictly Come Dancing star was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023. The Welsh dancer says she was originally scheduled to have a lumpectomy after medics discovered the tumour. The surgical procedure sees just the cancerous lumps, along with some of the surrounding tissue. According to Cancer Research UK, this is often done when the tumour only affects one area of the breast. However an MRI discovered that Amy, 35, had more tumours than initially suspected. It meant that doctors decided she would have to undergo a full mastectomy. On the Breast Cancer uncovered podcast, Amy admitted it can be “very difficult” having to make decisions about your health so quickly. She said: “For me everything happened so quickly, at first I was having a lumpectomy and then after my MRI, there were more tumours so I needed a mastectomy, and all of a sudden you’re trying to make these decisions so quickly and you’re not really thinking rationally because you’re so emotional, it’s very difficult within the time. “I do think it’s so important to be given all your options and to understand fully. I also didn’t know what I was going to wake up with, that’s quite worrying and scary as well. “I didn’t know if it was going to wake up with it open or closed, I didn’t know if I was going to have an expander in, or an implant. Even going down to surgery, and I wanted the honesty, you don’t know what you are going to wake up with or what it’s going to look like.” Amy’s cancer diagnosis meant she had to miss out on the 2023 series of Strictly after she underwent chemotherapy. In February last year Amy revealed doctors said they found “no evidence of the disease” in her body, clearing her path for a Strictly return. She returned to the show a year ago, partnered with JLS star JB Gill. She was however rushed to hospital in October, withdrawing from the competition on November 4. At the time, a Strictly spokesman said: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year. While Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley will step in as JB’s dance partner. “The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes.” Caerphilly-born Amy has returned to the current series of Strictly, partnered with former Apprentice candidate Tom Skinner. The reality TV star said: “I’m beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff! “I’ve never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I’m ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!” Strictly Come Dancing will return at 6.18pm on BBC One