Amy Dowden fans left 'sobbing' as she details breast cancer journey
Amy Dowden's supporters were in tears and praised her as a role model on Monday evening after she courageously shared her experience with breast cancer in her emotional BBC documentary, Cancer and Me.
The famous dancer from Strictly Come Dancing, who is 34 years old, was told she had a serious case of breast cancer in May 2023. It was a year of great challenges for Amy, as she had to have surgery to remove her breast, receive powerful medications to fight the cancer, take steps to preserve her fertility, and even face a life-threatening infection called sepsis.
Amy made the choice to allow cameras to capture her journey, and the film follows her as she navigates different phases of battling the illness.
The movie had some very emotional scenes, like Amy going through her initial chemotherapy treatment, the stressful time waiting for the results, and the famous actress shaving her head because of her hair falling out.
As the events played out, many people quickly went to X, also known as Twitter, to express their appreciation for the Welsh dancer. Some mentioned that they were moved to tears while witnessing her battle with health issues.
Amy Dowden's supporters were very emotional and called her an "inspiration" as she courageously shared her story of battling breast cancer in her touching BBC documentary, Cancer and Me.
The celebrity from the TV show Strictly Come Dancing, who is 34 years old, received a diagnosis of stage three breast cancer in May 2023. It was a very difficult year for her as she had to have a surgery to remove her breast, undergo chemotherapy, fertility treatments, and even had a close call with sepsis where she almost died.
They wrote: 'Difficult to watch, but truly motivating.'
"Oh, goodness, #AmyDowden is so inspiring. My heart is full of gratitude. I'm crying. Hugs and kisses."
I am currently sitting here watching Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, and tears are streaming down my face. Sending you love, Amy.
This Amy Dowden tale is difficult to watch. Wow. She is such a strong and courageous woman.
Amy Dowden is such an amazing inspiration! I've been crying for the first 14 minutes of this show, but she shows so much strength!
During a very emotional moment, the dancer can't hold back her tears as she wears a cold cap before her first chemotherapy treatment.
The actress tries hard not to cry as her mother and the nurses reassure her, while Amy cries and says she 'can't go through with this'.
In other parts of the film, we see the lovely Welsh woman shaving her head and then dancing in the garden. She is surrounded by the love and encouragement of her family and friends.
Amy made the choice to allow cameras to capture her experiences as she battled the illness. The documentary shows Amy's journey as she goes through different phases of fighting the disease.
The movie contained many emotional scenes, such as Amy going through her initial chemotherapy treatment, the painful period of waiting for test results, and the celebrity shaving off her hair to deal with the loss of her hair.
As the events played out, many onlookers hurried to X, previously called Twitter, to express their respect for the Welsh dancer. A few even mentioned that they were crying as they witnessed her battle with health issues.
After Amy learned she had cancer, she had trouble sleeping when doctors found another potential cancer diagnosis in July of last year.
In the documentary, the main actress received news from her cancer doctor that there were 'spots' found on her scan results. This caused her to go through a painful period of waiting to find out if the cancer had come back.
Fortunately, she received good news that she was healthy, which motivated Amy to continue working towards her goal of getting back to her favorite role on Strictly Come Dancing.
During happier times, Amy was overcome with emotion as she joyfully rang the cancer bell in the hospital following her clearance.
During a very sentimental moment, the dancer starts crying as she gets the cold cap before starting her first chemotherapy treatment.
The celebrity finds it hard to hold back her tears while her mother and the nurses try to console her. Amy cries, saying she is feeling very upset and doesn't want to go through with it.
In different parts of the documentary, we see the Welsh beauty cutting off all her hair and then dancing in the garden with the encouragement and love of her family and friends.
Following her first diagnosis, Amy experienced many nights of insomnia after a second cancer scare in July of the previous year.
During happier times, Amy's emotions overwhelmed her as she joyously rang the cancer bell in the hospital after receiving a clean bill of health.
The program also delved into her close relationship with her fellow dancer Dianne Buswell, and showcased the strong support system Amy has in her life, including her parents, spouse, and identical sister.
Although Amy had a lot of support from her family and supporters, the documentary showed Amy getting very upset and crying when she talked about the terrible online bullying she faced while sharing her experience with breast cancer.
The dancer had to deal with harsh criticism from detractors who called her a 'self-centered' and 'attention-seeking' individual for sharing her journey with cancer.
Amy found it challenging to manage her feelings while sharing how difficult it was to receive such hurtful messages. She acknowledged that at times she regretted sharing personal thoughts with the public.
She was lying in her hospital bed when she showed her cancer nurse a bunch of mean messages from online bullies. They were saying she was just looking for attention by shaving her head in public, and some even thought she should have dealt with her illness secretly.
Standing up for her, her nurse suggests that the trolls are likely individuals who dedicate their lives to bringing trouble to others, as that is the type of people they are.
However, despite the strong support Amy had from her family and supporters, the documentary showed Amy becoming emotional and crying when talking about the terrible online bullying she faced while sharing her experience with breast cancer.
The dancer had to deal with harsh criticisms from skeptics who labeled her as a 'self-centered' and 'seeking attention' for openly sharing her battle with cancer.
In the video diary, Amy appears clearly upset as she reads out additional messages, admitting, "There have been many instances when I regretted sharing my story."
She continued: 'Back then, I already felt like everything that made me who I am was taken away from me, my sense of self...
I really wish I wasn't out here in my front yard about to shave my head. I would much rather be dancing with my closest friends on Strictly Come Dancing.
She said: 'I didn't know what to expect. Seeing those messages made it difficult for me to even face myself in the mirror.'
Amy had previously mentioned in the documentary that a year ago she was happily married and preparing for her honeymoon. She was looking forward to this new chapter in her life when she discovered a lump on her breast that completely altered her life.
I never imagined that I would be diagnosed with cancer at this stage of my life. Even though I knew people who had survived cancer, I was completely unaware of how much it would affect me.
On this adventure, I have discovered a great deal about myself and the significance of a cancer diagnosis. My wish is that this movie inspires hope and resilience in others, and motivates people of all ages to regularly self-examine.
The dancer is getting ready for the next round of Strictly Come Dancing after having to step away from the show last year.
"Breast Cancer Impacts Over 2 Million Women Annually"
Breast cancer is a frequently seen type of cancer globally. In the UK, over 55,000 new cases are reported annually, with 11,500 women losing their lives to the disease. In the US, approximately 266,000 individuals are affected each year, leading to 40,000 deaths. But what are the factors that contribute to its development and what are the available treatment options?
What does breast cancer mean?
It originates from a cancerous cell that forms in the lining of a duct or lobule within the breast.
When breast cancer has spread to nearby tissues, it is known as 'invasive'. Others may have a diagnosis of 'carcinoma in situ', indicating that cancer cells have not spread beyond the duct or lobule.
The majority of cases occur in people over 50 years old, but occasionally younger women may also be affected. Although it is rare, breast cancer can also develop in men.
Staging determines the size of the cancer and if it has spread. Stage 1 is the first stage while stage 4 means the cancer has moved to a different area of the body.
The cancer cells are categorized from low grade, meaning they grow slowly, to high grade, which grows rapidly. High-grade cancers have a higher chance of recurring after initial treatment.
What are the factors that lead to breast cancer?
A cancerous growth begins with an irregular cell. The specific cause of the cell turning cancerous is not well understood. It is believed that something disrupts or changes specific genes within the cell. This results in the cell becoming abnormal and multiplying uncontrollably.
Even though breast cancer can occur without a clear cause, certain factors like genetics can raise the likelihood of developing it.
What are the signs of breast cancer?
Most often, the initial indication of breast cancer is a painless bump in the breast. However, the majority of these bumps are not cancerous; they are typically benign cysts filled with fluid.
The first location where breast cancer commonly spreads is the lymph nodes located in the armpit. If this happens, you may notice a lump or swelling in your armpit.
How do doctors find out if someone has breast cancer?
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, additional tests may be required to determine if it has spread. This could include blood tests, an ultrasound of the liver, or a chest X-ray.
What are the treatment options for breast cancer?
There are different choices for how to treat cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Sometimes doctors use a mix of two or more of these treatments.
How effective is the treatment?
People who catch cancer early and before it spreads have the best chance of recovery. Removing a tumor through surgery in the early stages can lead to a successful treatment outcome.
The regular screening exams given to women aged 50-71 are helping to catch and treat breast cancers earlier.
To learn more, check out breastcancernow.org or ring their toll-free hotline at 0808 800 6000.
