Strictly star Amy Dowden diagnosed with breast cancer at 32

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32.

The professional dancer on the hit BBC One show, received the shock diagnosis last week and took to her instagram to share her personal health update.

Although she does not yet know if she will re-join Strictly, Amy wrote in a statement posted on Instagram, on Wednesday May 24th: “I’ve got some news which isn’t easy to share.

“I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I am determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it. Welsh love Amy X.”

Amy, from Caerphilly, South Wales, watched her mum suffer from cancer from a young age.

The dancer, who joined Strictly in 2017, said in an exclusive interview with Hello!: “You just don’t ever think it’s going to happen to you. I hadn’t thought it was possible to get breast cancer at my age. 

“My mum has had breast cancer, but she had it at a later age, in her 50s.”

She revealed she found the lump in her breast the day before she went on her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones in April, saying: “I was in the shower and I felt this hard lump in my right breast.”

When she returned form the trip, the star booked an appointment with her GP and was sent for an emergency referral before being diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer after having a biopsy.

She told Hello!:“My doctor explained to me that there are three grades, and three is the most aggressive, but they feel like they’ve caught mine early and to not be too alarmed because grade 3 would be expected in somebody of my age.” 

Amy said her cancer has been caught ‘early’ and she is now waiting for more information before she is given a full treatment plan, which will include surgery.

She is now waiting for an MRI scan and a biopsy, after medics found a second lump in her right breast, and she will be given a full prognosis after that step.

Amy said she received heartfelt support from friends Giovanna and Tom Fletcher when she told them the news, saying they were ‘central’ in her decision to tell her story in a bid to help others.

Tyler West, who appeared on Strictly last year with Dianne Buswell, spoke about Amy’s diagnosis on Wednesday’s (May 24th) Lorraine programme.

Showing his support, Tyler said: “She’s alright, Aims.

“She’s the Welsh dragon, she’s a fighter, so strong, so inspirational, it was a massive shock the system for everyone to everyone this morning. 

“She is incredible, Amy, and I have no doubt she will be powering through it.”