BBC Strictly's Amy Dowden admits 'cancer changed me' during first holiday with husband since cancer recovery
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The professional dancer recently revealed she was returning to the BBC competition this year
Strictly's Amy Dowden has given an update on her romantic trip away with her husband Ben Jones four months after she received the good news that no cancer was detected in her body - but she admitted her journey had changed the way she holidays now.
Dowden and Jones got married in 2022 and recently jetted off on an easyJet package holiday, sharing with her followers that they needed to get some vitamin D, but didn't reveal where exactly they had gone.
Posting to her Instagram story yesterday, Dowden and Jones posed for a picture in front of the sunset in the warm-looking country, before posting again today about the one thing she makes sure she always does on holiday now.
Holding a bottle of factor 50 sun cream, she admitted: "Always now! How cancer has changed me."
Dowden - who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2023 - also posted a selection of images showing her posing in a leopard print kaftan, kissing in the pool with her husband and smiling with a bottle of champagne.
Her holiday comes after she recently shared a health update, and posted an image of herself in hospital, taken on the day she underwent surgery last year.
Amy posted how her holidays have changed since her cancer diagnosis
The lengthy caption read: "Can't believe it's a year since surgery! Happy 1st birthday to my new cancer-free boobie!!! These past few weeks and especially days I've constantly been thinking this time last year I was having this test or this appointment.
"A year ago today it was confirmed what we thought it was but it became reality and my life changed forever when the Dr said we are sorry Amy it's cancer
"A year ago Ben, myself and my twin sister cried together and had to pull ourselves together as we had to break the news to my parents and just knowing the heartache and worry it was going to cause.
"I used to lay awake for hours with my mind going to all sorts of places, would I make it to Christmas, would I dance again, how's Ben going to cope, I don't want to lose my hair, you name it. I wish I knew then how I would be a year on."
In her closing statement, she said: "To those struggling right now I'm sending you love and strength. To those family and friends who stuck by me, I'm forever grateful to you! I know I'm lucky and blessed for another shot at life, here's to a healthier, better, happier and dancing year ahead!
"Now a gentle reminder have you checked your chest this month? Early detection can save lives."
Due to her cancer treatment, it meant that Dowden was unable to compete in the most recent series of Strictly Come Dancing - however, after she revealed that no cancer had been detected in her body, she will be returning this year.
After the official Strictly Instagram page revealed she was returning, she also told her fans the good news and posted a behind-the-scenes clip of her filming the promotional clips.
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Amy revealed back in February that no cancer had been detected in her body
The caption read: "I’m so happy and grateful to be back on @bbcstrictly. MY HEART IS SO HAPPY. The best team on and off the dance floor. I can’t wait to be back doing what I love most in the world, dancing!
"Feel blessed and more excited than EVER. Bring it on! Thank you @bbcstrictly for your support always. Eeeeeekkk." (sic)