Amy Dowden has revealed that her hair has started to regrow after chemotherapy and admitted she is feeling more positive amid her breast cancer battle.
The Strictly professional, 33, gave an update on Instagram on Wednesday after taking a short break from social media.
She told how although she is happy her hair is growing back she is still adjusting to a new pace of life this year and needed some days away after more hospital tests.
The star, who underwent her last bout of chemo eleven weeks ago after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May last year, posted new pictures and video of herself online after ‘being a little silent’ online.
She showed off her new head of hair and her eyebrows and lashes from different angles and thanked fans for their support.
Amy Dowden has revealed that her hair has started to regrow after chemotherapy and admitted she is feeling more positive amid her breast cancer battle
The Strictly professional, 33, gave an update on Instagram on Wednesday after taking a short break from social media (seen on December with less hair regrowth)
She told how although she is happy her hair is growing back she is still adjusting to a new pace of life this year and needed some days away after more hospital tests
She told them in a first post: ‘Hey hey, thank you for all the lovely messages the last few weeks. Sorry for being a little silent here. I needed a little time and space.
‘I’m still missing and craving what I should be doing but starting to accept I need to be patient. After a crazy week of hospital tests and apts last week Ben and I then went away for a few days and it’s exactly what we both needed.
‘Hope 2024 has been treating you all well. Once again thanks for all the love and of course I need to remind you, have you checked yourself yet this year? If not get checking.’
Amy then showed off her hair regrowth from different angles and said: ‘Also so grateful for the hair growth so far. My eye lashes and brows are back and the hair is growing.
‘This is for anyone going through treatment. ‘Remember like I keep telling myself this too shall pass. This is 11 weeks since my last chemo.
‘To now… can’t believe it. The re growth felt so slow but looking back it’s unreal and it’s helping me feel more positive.’
It comes after Amy admitted she felt ‘bitter’ seeing other people’s 2023 highlights on New Year’s Eve amid her breast cancer battle.
She appeared on Lorraine as she spoke about how she felt entering 2024 and her ‘jealousy’ over seeing posts.
She showed off her new head of hair and her eyebrows and lashes from different angles and thanked fans for their support
She then posted a snap of herself on December 6 as she compared how much her hair has grown since then
She also posted an image on Christmas Day to show how the hair had started to regrow a little at that point
The dancer announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in an Instagram post shared in May 2023 and underwent a mastectomy in July
Amy found a lump in her breast the day before she jetted off for a belated honeymoon with husband Ben to the Maldives last April.
The dancer announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in an Instagram post shared in May 2023 and underwent a mastectomy in July.
Since then Amy has shared regular health updates on Instagram. She battled sepsis at one point during her chemo treatment as well as a blood clot on her lung.
Speaking on Lorraine in an update at the start of January she candidly said: ‘After New Year’s Eve when you wake up and see everyone’s posts – I was actually quite bitter.
‘My life changed on the day of the diagnosis but cancer changes you forever, it’s changed me as a person.
‘I’ve lost a boob and my hair, I’ve had sepsis, been into shock, blood clots, I’ve broken my foot. I saw everyone doing these nice reels and I was quite jealous to be honest.’
Just after finishing chemotherapy last autumn Amy sadly broke her foot and has since been in a boot.
On Lorraine she gave an update as she said she was going back to the doctors to get it checked.
She explained: ‘I go back this afternoon to see the fracture clinic. Being on chemo, it can delay your bones healing, make your bone density weaker, so I’ll get some answers but I can’t wait for it to come off.’
Amy is hoping to return to Strictly this autumn and has already revealed her hopes for her next pairing.
She said on the daytime TV show: ‘I’d like to be paired with Hugh Jackman or Ben Shephard I’ve heard he has twinkle toes!’
In her end of 2023 post Amy reflected on ‘experiencing rock bottom’ during the year and told her Instagram followers that she felt ‘robbed of the year I planned’.
Amy wrote: ‘Last day of 2023! I’m sure I’m not the only one but actually finding it hard looking at others post of the past year.
‘I’m sure I’m not alone and that’s why I wanted to put something. I feel I was robbed of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry but later I’m going to make myself look through my camera roll and remember all the good times, the amazing opportunities I had, family time but also taking time to realise I learnt the most this year.
‘Experienced rock bottom, felt I lost my identity and dancing BUT became a stronger, braver person who I’m taking forward with me to 2024. For those struggling to reflect today remember it’s ok’
‘I feel much better after a little cry this morning and blessed to be celebrating with friends round tonight the GOOD BYE to 2023! Sending love and hugs to those that need it! (And please) as it’s the last day of 2023 why not #checkyourchests.’
Amy then shared a series of photo documenting her year.
To ring in 2024, she also hosted a New Year’s Eve morning programme on BBC Radio Wales during which she revealed her ambitions for 2024.
‘So I started the year obviously on the Strictly trip, the arena tour, which I absolutely loved.’
‘After having a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment, the lot, I am now finally looking ahead to 2024 and I just got a good feeling it’s going to be my year and hopefully, I’m (going to) get that Glitterball and I’m going to bring it back to Wales because a Welsh professional dancer’s never won the show.
‘That might be because I’m the only ever Welsh professional dancer to be on the show.
‘But, yeah, that’s my aim for 2024, to get fit and healthy and to get myself back on that Strictly dancefloor.’
Amy celebrated her final round of chemotherapy In November, ringing the traditional end of treatment bell to celebrate.
Amy celebrated her final round of chemotherapy In November, ringing the traditional end of treatment bell to celebrate (seen with husband Ben)
Since her diagnosis Amy has shared regular health updates on Instagram. She battled sepsis at one point during her chemo treatment as well as a blood clot on her lung
In her end of 2023 post Amy reflected on ‘experiencing rock bottom’ during the year and told her Instagram followers that she felt ‘robbed of the year I planned’
Amy confirmed that she would be completing chemotherapy, but explained she was facing further treatment.
Speaking in an Instagram video, Amy explained: ‘Four weeks after the last chemo, I have my MRI scan and then I find out if I need more surgery – or if I’m done.’
She added ‘well, I’m kind of not done, because for five years – I was a bit gutted when I found this out – I have to go back to the chemo ward.’
‘Obviously, I love all the nurses there, they’re incredible, the whole team are – but I have to go back and have an injection once a month. It’s either that, or have my ovaries removed, which I obviously don’t want.’
