Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has praised the NHS and admitted to putting on a brave face after heading for an MRI on Sunday.
The 33-year-old dancer has been battling cancer since May 2023 after discovering a lump on her breast days before her honeymoon.
She's since completed a course of chemotherapy and has regularly shared with her fans updates on how her recovery has been going.
January has been more subdued for the dancer who only returned to social media last week to break her radio silence and reveal she'd been on a sun-soaked getaway with her beau, Benjamin.
Doing her best to remain upbeat, Dowden has celebrated the fact her hair has begun to grow back and thicken and now, she's got her fingers crossed that her latest hospital return and MRI scan will be the last "for a while".
She explained all in a video shared to her Instagram on Sunday in which she said: "Hello everyone. I know it's been a while hasn't it since I've spoken to you lot.
Amy Dowden health: The 33-year-old returned to hospital on Sunday for another MRI test
INSTAGRAM/AMY DOWDEN
"I've got to my hospital appointment early so I thought I'd come on. You're probably thinking that's strange, a hospital appointment on a Sunday but I've got an MRI scan.
"I think it's so amazing that the NHS offer a seven-day week appointment for MRIs, I'm really hoping this is my last MRI for a while now.
"It does feel strange coming to a hospital on a Sunday but with the last few months of my life, it doesn't. But yeah, can't believe we're into February already."
Reflecting on January, Dowden went on: "I'm glad to see the back of that long month was January especially as it was a different January to what I'm used to.
"But very grateful that Ben and I had a few days away and I just want to say thank you and I'm really grateful for all the lovely comments about our trip away so thank you, thank you, thank you.
"I hope you all have a lovely Sunday, I am gonna try be better on here, I promise," Dowden signed off.
Soon after, the Strictly star shared a selfie in her hospital gown as she candidly admitted she's still finding the regular hospital visits tough.
She captioned the snap: "It doesn't matter how many times you have tests, you never get used to it and I feel your anxiety only gets worse.
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Amy Dowden cancer battle: The Strictly star steps out at the Pride of Britain Awards in October 2023
GETTY
"Smile on my face but deep down just get this over with!"
Meanwhile, Dowden also found herself inundated with well wishes after she shared a poignant post on the social media platform to mark World Cancer Day.
Dowden admitted it "changed my life forever" when she learned of her diagnosis but defiantly put to her followers: "Make the most of every day, everyone, every opportunity and live life to the full or as I learnt on my journey, ‘go grab life’."
She signed off: "Please help raise awareness and one day help find a cure to help those suffering. I’m sending all my Welsh love to all affected by cancer." (sic)
