Amy Dowden celebrates her 33rd birthday with her twin sister and heartbreakingly admits “every milestone is a reminder” of the cancer diagnosis
Amy Dowden celebrated her 33rd birthday with her twin sister Becky on Thursday when she shared a photo on Instagram.
The Strictly Come Dancing star recently revealed that after her first breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year, the doctor decided she had “a different kind of cancer.”
Amy heartbreakingly admitted that “every milestone is a memory right now” and “it hurts” as she’s far from what she “usually should be doing”.
The dancer added that her birthday wish was for everyone to check themselves while she works on raising awareness.
In the commemorative photo from Amy’s wedding, she and Becky looked glamorous as they prepared for the big day.
Family: Amy Dowden celebrated her 33rd birthday with her twin sister Becky on Thursday when she shared a photo on Instagram following her second cancer diagnosis
She captioned the update: “Happy Birthday my beautiful, kind, talented twin!” I hope your day is as beautiful as yours, and we’ll definitely make it up to you next year! I love you Bex and thank you for everything you always do for me.
“I wasn’t looking forward to this birthday. Right now, every milestone or event is a bigger memory and hurts.
“I’m a long way from what I should and normally do, in the rehearsal room with my actual family.” But all your wishes this morning definitely cheered me up. My birthday wish this year is that everyone take the time to check themselves!
“Coppa Feel has so many useful resources! Does not take long! This is my birthday wish! Thank you again for all the love and support it really helps and means so much to me. Welsh love Amy x’
Last week, Amy gave fans an emotional update after completing her first round of chemotherapy.
After the treatment, Amy bravely faced the camera and smiled sweetly in her hospital bed.
Wrapped in blankets and with a cold beanie on her head, the star admitted the experience “wasn’t as bad” as she thought, and quipped that she was “one step closer to getting back on the dance floor.”
On the way home, Amy also posed in front of the hospital, holding up a finger.
Birthday wishes: Amy heartbreakingly admitted that ‘every milestone is a memory right now’ and ‘it hurts’ as she’s far from what she’s ‘usually supposed to be doing’
Strong: The dancer added that her birthday wish was for everyone to check themselves as she works to raise awareness
Annoyingly, “I wasn’t looking forward to this birthday.” “Right now, every milestone or event is a bigger memory and hurts,” she wrote
Under the caption of the post, she wrote, “Chemo 1 done!” I looked worse walking in than coming out.
“I wasn’t sleeping, when I got there I just burst into tears. Luckily my pink sister made sure I got in and helped me get through and took my mind off the cold cap brain freeze.” (wasn’t as bad as I thought!)
“Thanks @jenny.markey I’m not sure what I would do without you!” Lucky ‘I’ve got you!
“Red Devil walked in, cried again, but I left knowing chemo 1 is over and it’s not as bad as I thought it would be.”
“It’s down to the incredible team and nurses!” Thank you NHS! Hopefully not too many side effects.
“One step closer to being back on the dance floor.” (That’s what hurts the most right now. I’d do anything to be with my fellow straight pros right now.)
“But now Chemo 1 ✔️ #breastcanceryoung #chemotherapy #erstechemo #chemoport #enlightenment #ididit #everyoneneedsafriendlikejen”
In May, Amy was first diagnosed with aggressive stage three breast cancer.
While preparing for her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones in April, she discovered a lump and weeks later shared her diagnosis.
The professional dancer has since had surgery, undergone a mastectomy and undergo fertility treatment.
During a live Instagram chat with breast cancer survivor and Paralympic gold medalist Erin Kennedy for the CoppaFeel charity! On Friday, Amy announced the devastating news that cancer had been found elsewhere in her body.
What is breast cancer, how many people does it affect and what are the symptoms?
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. There are more than 55,000 new cases in the UK each year and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer arises from a cancer cell that develops in the lining of a milk duct, or lobule, in one of the breasts.
When the breast cancer has spread to the surrounding breast tissue, it is called “invasive” breast cancer. Some people are diagnosed with “carcinoma in situ” where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobules.
Most cases occur in women over the age of 50, but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, but it is rare.
The staging stage is about how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body.
Cancer cells are graded from low (slow growth) to high (rapid growth). High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after the initial treatment.
What Causes Breast Cancer?
A cancerous tumor starts from an abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. Something is thought to damage or change certain genes in the cell. As a result, the cell becomes abnormal and multiplies.
There are some risk factors that can increase the risk of developing breast cancer, such as genetic factors.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
The usual first symptom is a painless breast lump, although most breast lumps are noncancerous and are fluid-filled cysts that are benign.
The first place where breast cancer usually spreads is in the armpit lymph nodes. When this happens, a swelling or lump develops in the armpit.
For more information visit breastcancernow.org or call toll free on 0808 800 6000