Amy Dowden's Mastectomy Recovery: Dancer Shares 'Uncomfortable' Struggles
Amy Dowden shares 'uncomfortable' mastectomy recovery

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has shared a candid and emotional update on her recovery following a second mastectomy, revealing the ongoing physical challenges she faces.

Post-Surgery Struggles and Progress

The 35-year-old Welsh dancer confessed that while her energy has returned, she still finds certain everyday tasks difficult. Simple actions like dressing herself and raising her arms remain uncomfortable two weeks after her operation.

Amy has been keeping her supporters informed via social media, where she received an outpouring of love. In a recent video, she stated, "I am doing so much better thank you, since the weekend, I've really, really started to feel more like me." She confirmed her movement is improving, the bruising has subsided, and she is looking forward to progressing with physiotherapy.

A Journey of Resilience

Amy was first diagnosed with cancer in May 2023 after discovering a lump on her breast during her honeymoon. This led to a year away from Strictly Come Dancing for chemotherapy and treatment, culminating in the welcome news that there was "no evidence of disease".

Her return to the dance floor this series with Thomas Skinner was a triumphant moment, especially after a previous unrelated injury forced her to withdraw while dancing with JB Gill.

Looking Ahead with Hope and Patience

The professional dancer revealed she visited her doctor to have her dressings removed and is happy with her progress, though she is still dealing with swelling. Her focus is now on a full recovery and safely returning to the dance floor when her body is ready.

Amy also shared a lighter side to her recovery, mentioning that her need to wear compression bras has led to some retail therapy, as she cannot wear her usual low-neckline dresses. "It's uncomfortable, or with the compression bras, they're on show... but it has been a little bit of an excuse for retail therapy which certainly helped!" she joked.

She concluded her update by expressing immense gratitude to her fans for their support and reinforcing her commitment to being patient during her healing process. She also issued a crucial reminder to her followers: "Please remember to check yourself."