Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has credited one decision with saving her life, admitting she “wouldn’t be here right now” without it.
The dancer, 34, revealed last year she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and has thankfully received better news about her health since, with “no evidence of disease” present – but it will be five years before she can get the official “all clear” due to the nature of her cancer.
The Welsh dancer’s post-wedding joy soon took a turn as she previously shared that she had discovered a lump just before she jetted off to the Maldives on her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones.
She was later diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and kept fans updated throughout her emotional journey.
Thankfully, the Caerphilly-born dancer was given some welcome news in February as she penned on her Instagram: “NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of! My biggest accomplishment yet!
“I won’t be getting the all-clear for 5 years, especially with a hormone-fed cancer. But it was all worth it. Words I never thought I’d hear at one point.
“So grateful for all the care I received and continue to have. To my husband, family and friends who supported me unconditionally and to you guys! Thank you!”
Dowden is set to share her experiences from the last 15 months in a new documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, which will air on Monday on BBC One.
She hopes it will encourage women to check their breasts, especially since she was diagnosed at only 32.
“I never thought at 32 years old I would be diagnosed with breast cancer,” she explained. Speaking to The Mirror, she continued: “And if it wasn’t for the Coppafeel trip, I wouldn’t have ended up checking myself.
Amy Dowden will detail her cancer journey in a documentary set to air next week
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“And if I hadn’t found the grade three, most aggressive type of cancer, then I wouldn’t be here right now.
“I just want people to not wait until you’re in your 50s and have mammograms. You need to be checking yourself.
“And if just ten people from watching this documentary check themselves, I could potentially save a life.”
Back in April, the resilient choreographer announced how “grateful” she felt to have been given “another shot at life” as she reflected on how much she missed Strictly after having to pull out of the competition last year for her treatment.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, she told stand-in host Christine Lampard: “I’m doing really well. I’m back in the incredible Empress Ballroom [in Blackpool].
Dowden will be back on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing
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Dowden revealed she’d hit the one-year milestone of discovering the illness: “A year ago I was here with my students and I found the lump and was flying off on honeymoon the next day.
“But I can’t believe in this last year I’ve come full circle, from mastectomy to gruelling chemotherapy treatment, a few obstacles along the way.”
She went on: “But it all worked and I’ve been given another shot at life and I’m so grateful for that, I really am.”
It was later confirmed Dowden would be stepping back onto the iconic dancefloor when the show revealed this year’s professional line-up, so fans can expect her back on the glitzy competition series next month.