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Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer Amy Dowden has announced she is to undergo another mastectomy in the coming days. The 35-year-old said the surgery was not to treat a new cancer diagnosis - but came following an appointment with her “incredible” medical team. Amy told this weekend how she stared death in the face during her gruelling cancer battle and admitted she initially ‘thought the worst’ before she finally celebrated the all clear in February 2024 Now, in a post on Instagram confirming the mastectomy, the Welsh star said: "As you all know I’ve always been very open about my health and the care I receive. So I’d like to start by being clear what I am about to share is not to treat a new cancer diagnosis. "However following a recent appointment with my incredible medical team, we’ve decided that I’ll be having another mastectomy this week. They’re confident that, all going well, I can expect a straightforward recovery. Once I have healed I look forward to rejoining my strictly family. "Of course I’m going to miss not being there so much but I will be watching from home and look forward to cheering everyone on. Thank you always for all the support." Her Strictly co-stars and fans showered her with support. "We love you Amy," wrote dancer Dianne Buswell. Tom Fletcher, partnered with her in 2021, said: "All the love to you my wonderful friend. X" A mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of a breast. It is most commonly performed to treat breast cancer or to prevent it in high-risk individuals, according to the NHS. The dancer’s life changed forever in May 2023 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32, and she has since become one of the UK’s most recognisable advocates for early cancer detection. She previously underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, leaving her unable to compete in that year’s edition of the BBC dancing show. She documented her cancer experience online, and revealed in February 2024 that “no evidence of disease” was found at her latest health check. In 2024, she returned to the show, partnered with former JLS star JB Gill, however she was forced to pull out of Strictly midway through the 20th anniversary series due to an injury, and was replaced by Lauren Oakley. Fans were thrilled to see Amy back on the the Strictly dance floor this year, but it was a short stay and viewers were gutted to see her voted out in the first week alongside her partner Tom Skinner. She spoke to OK! on Sunday and said that despite initially wanting to hide away from everyone and everything and fearing the worst, Amy knew that by speaking out, she could potentially save another life by advocating and sharing her journey. She said: “Since my own breast cancer diagnosis, I want to do everything that I can to raise awareness and get the message out there to help others. I’m so proud to be on the other side of my diagnosis now. I’m finally feeling like myself again. I’m finally Amy again. I’m happy in my life now. But the blow of having cancer and everything you go through throughout your diagnosis is something that never leaves you." Amy explained: “I never thought cancer would happen to me. Cancer, unfortunately, doesn’t discriminate and sadly more and more people at such a young age are being diagnosed with breast cancer.” Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
