Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has bravely opened up about her terrifying cancer diagnosis, admitting there were moments she genuinely believed she wouldn't survive.
The 33-year-old dancer, who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer last year, shared the emotional rollercoaster of her treatment journey in a candid new interview.
'I Thought It Was The End'
"There were points where I thought I was going to die," Amy revealed with heartbreaking honesty. "When you're going through chemotherapy and your body is failing you, it's impossible not to have those dark thoughts."
The Welsh dancer described one particularly traumatic hospitalisation during her treatment where she developed sepsis and spent five days in intensive care. "That was my lowest point," she admitted. "I couldn't breathe, I was shaking uncontrollably - I genuinely thought that might be it."
The Strictly Sisterhood
Amy credits her Strictly colleagues with helping her through the darkest days. "The girls were incredible," she said. "Dianne [Buswell] would come round and do my nails when I couldn't move, and Katya [Jones] would bring food when I couldn't cook."
Though she couldn't compete in the 2023 series, Amy made several emotional appearances in the Strictly studio. "Just being there gave me something to focus on beyond the pain," she explained.
Looking to the Future
Now in remission, Amy is determined to return to the dancefloor. "I'm taking it step by step," she said. "My body's been through so much, but dancing is my therapy."
The star also hopes her story will encourage other women to check their breasts regularly. "If I can help even one person catch cancer early, then some good will have come from this nightmare."
