BBC Strictly star Amy Dowden opens up on baby plans after overcoming cancer battle: 'We had one chance'
Amy Dowden talked about plans for starting a family following her cancer ordeal
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Amy Dowden was over the moon to be able to join this year's Strictly Come Dancing in the professional line-up after having to miss last year's show as she underwent cancer treatment.
Dowden, 34, revealed last year she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and has thankfully received better news about her health since. She has since opened up on the heartbreak of her treatment causing early menopause and her fear of not being able to have children.
Dowden has previously shared she discovered a lump last April just before heading off to the Maldives for her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones.
Shortly after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and candidly updated fans on her journey.
Taking to Instagram in February, Dowden shared the good news she no longer had evidence of the illness. She penned: "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!"
She continued: "I will still need a monthly injection for 5 years and regular checkups. Chemo and this past year has certainly taken its toll on my body both physically and mentally, so I’ll be taking the next few months to heal and recover."
Dowden has opened up about how she was warned her cancer treatment was likely to damage her ovaries and cause early menopause.
She was advised to store her eggs as a way around this, which she said had been a shock.
The choreographer had surgery for a single mastectomy in June 2023, and her chemotherapy was scheduled for six weeks later. Therefore she only had a small window of time to embark on her fertility journey.
Two weeks after her surgery, she was injecting herself with fertility drugs for the egg retrieval process.
Speaking to Radio Times, the Welsh dancer commented: "I was pumped with a load of hormones, emotional because of everything, then I went into menopause on the day I started chemo."
She continued: "We're not deluded," before adding: "We know it’s not easy to get pregnant, but we had one chance.
"By then I wasn’t expecting any good news, it felt like every appointment was getting worse, but that day, luck was on my side."
On whether she sees children in her life, she commented: "I'll have to discuss all that with my doctor in the future. For now, I just want to stay fit and healthy."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden candidly shared her cancer treatment journey with social media followers since her diagnosis
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Speaking in April of this year, the one-year milestone of discovering the illness, Dowden stated: "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."
Speaking on ITV's Lorraine, 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."
Sharing an admission about the BBC show, Dowden opened up: "I missed being on Strictly so much last year. I've missed dancing.
"I've been working with my physio team, who are incredible, cause I've got a new upper body, I haven't danced in a year, and that is the goal, for me to get back with my Strictly family. So fingers crossed."