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Strictly star Amy Dowden stared death in the face during her brutal cancer fight and confessed she initially 'feared the worst' before finally getting the all-clear in February 2024. The dancer's world turned upside down in May 2023 when she received her breast cancer diagnosis at just 32 years old, and has since emerged as one of Britain's most prominent champions for early cancer screening. Although she initially wanted to retreat from everyone and everything whilst dreading the worst outcome, Amy realised that by speaking publicly, she might potentially save someone else's life through advocacy and sharing her experience. The Strictly professional dancer, who partnered with Tom Skinner this year before he became the first celebrity eliminated from the series, spoke candidly to OK! She revealed that whilst she's feeling like her old self once more, the reality of having 'cancer never leaves you'. 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 revealed: "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." Speaking about her personal experience, she revealed how she was tempted to withdraw from everyone, but chose instead to confront the challenge directly and raise awareness that might potentially save someone else's life. "There were times where I felt as though I just wanted to shut off from the world. I didn't want to share updates or discuss what I was going through. But at the end of the day, if there's one positive that would come from all of my oversharing was that hopefully even one person would be more inclined to check themselves. "To me, it was just all about that. It was about saving lives. I thought about mortality a lot. It's scary. Your mind goes to the craziest of places when you're in a dark place like that. After my initial diagnosis and when I was waiting to find out what the plan of action was, I thought the worst. The absolute worst. When you're in these moments, you're so upset and you're so emotional, your mind brings you to those awful places and it stirs up the most awful feelings inside of you. But I'm still here, despite it all." Supporters were delighted to witness Amy's comeback to the Strictly ballroom this year, though were devastated to watch her eliminated in the opening week alongside her partner Tomas Skinner. Following their unfortunate departure, Amy discussed discovering "the real Tom" throughout their Strictly journey and disclosed that he restored her self-assurance during his brief appearance. "He is adorable. He's looked after me," she said. "We've laughed so much. We've worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing but what I've learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything. "I've made a new friend for life and I wouldn't change a thing. There is a Ballroom boy in there so I'm a bit gutted he didn't get to do the Ballroom, but the last three years as you know have been quite difficult for me. I lost all confidence as a dancer - but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back and, honestly, thank you." Following Amy's battle with cancer, she has teamed up with fellow survivor Gemma Ainger to create My Breast Friend, a app aimed at making self-examinations straightforward, shame-free and habitual. Download My Breast Friend from all major app stores. For more information please visit https://mybreastfriend.health.
