Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me review – an exceedingly raw real-time battle

One year ago, the day before Amy Dowden's honeymoon, she discovered a lump in her breast. Right away, she had a feeling. When you know your body well enough to notice when something isn't right, it's hard to ignore. "I just had this sinking feeling," the 34-year-old Strictly Come Dancing star explains to the camera. "So I went to see the doctor and he told me, 'Amy, I'm afraid it's not good news - we found something.' And I asked, 'Is it cancer?' And he simply replied, 'Yes.'"

Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, the new documentary by the BBC, tells the story of professional dancer Amy's battle with cancer. When she first received the diagnosis, she decided to have a film crew follow her journey in the hopes of raising awareness about the disease. The documentary captures the raw emotions of Amy's experience, making viewers feel like they are right there with her, unsure of what lies ahead. Amy recalls her initial concern upon learning she had cancer, wanting to hold onto her job despite the fear. Looking back, she realizes how her worries at the time were unfounded.

For the next hour, you observe Amy as she bravely takes each difficult step. She had a mastectomy in the beginning. She chose to undergo intense chemotherapy after learning that it would greatly reduce the chances of her cancer coming back. She also visited a fertility specialist after discovering that chemotherapy could harm her remaining eggs.

Even though she has appeared on television in front of about 10 million viewers each year between 2017 and 2022, the Welsh dancer is not a distant, glamorous celebrity. She could easily be someone you went to school with, or your child's teacher. She speaks calmly, lives in a normal house, and is very easy to relate to. When watching her in the movie, you almost forget where you recognize her from. Cancer, the most dreaded illness, can impact anyone.

Some of the toughest moments to see are when Amy is with her family. Her parents, two lovely individuals who clearly care for Amy deeply, try to stay strong for her. When Amy informs them that the initial lump has nearly doubled in size and that she has grade three cancer, the most aggressive type, you can hear them trying to remain calm over the phone. They say, "Right, OK," in unison. Her mum acknowledges, "It's a lot to process today, isn't it?" Amy expresses, "I'm shattered," to which her mum responds comfortingly. Later, when she arrives at their home after her final chemotherapy session, they embrace, all wearing matching T-shirts that read, "Nobody fights alone." It may be overly sentimental, but that's what fighting cancer requires.

Watching documentaries about sad and scary topics may make you uneasy, but this film is not filled with sorrow or despair. Instead, you will feel uplifted by Amy's incredible strength and resilience. Despite facing difficult challenges, she remains hopeful and optimistic. Surrounded by a supportive network of friends, colleagues, and family, she stays focused on the future and tackles each obstacle with determination.

It's definitely not a walk in the park: there are many times when she breaks down in tears and it seems like she cannot handle it anymore. However, despite all the challenges, there is a surprising sense of hope and positivity in her resilience. Watching her push through makes you believe that if she can overcome this, then anyone can overcome any obstacle.

However, the reality is that life isn't always wrapped up neatly with a happy ending. Overcoming cancer is a challenging journey, impacting not just one's physical health but also their mental well-being and daily routine. The fear of the illness resurfacing is a constant concern. Amy admits that her dancing abilities have declined since her battle with cancer. She has had to work harder to regain her strength and agility, especially in her upper body, which has undergone changes. Recovery is a difficult and ongoing process for Amy.

Amy is still here to share her story and things are looking good. She doesn't have any traces of the disease right now. She will be back on Strictly next month for her seventh season on the show. Amy feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.