Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden has revealed she has breast cancer at the age of 32. The Caerphilly-born star received the diagnosis last week upon returning from her honeymoon with her husband Ben Jones.
Amy, who has battled with Crohn's Disease since she was a child, told Hello! Magazine: "I've been through quite a lot in my life and this is another hurdle."
Amy shared her interview with the publication on Instagram, telling her 328,000 followers the personal news. She said: "Hey all, I've got some news which isn't easy to share. I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I'm determined to get back on that dancefloor before you know it. Welsh love Amy."
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Amy shared how it was her experience of doing the CoppaTrek! with Giovanna Fletcher, a fundraising 100km walk in support of breast health awareness charity CoppaFeel! last June, that ultimately led her to discover her own breast cancer.
She added to the publication: "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."
Amy hopes that sharing will raise awareness of the disease and help others going through their own diagnoses. She said: "This last year, obviously, I made a conscious effort to check my breasts. CoppaFeel! has now potentially saved my life because I don't know how long this lump could have been there before I would have noticed and done something about it."
Amy was flooded with support from friends and co-stars. Gemma Atkinson wrote: "We're all fighting behind you all the way Amy! Sending so much love to you."
Diane Buswell commented: "Our Welsh dragon is going to fight this!!!! And I cannot wait for the moment you are back on that dancefloor with us. We love you so much Amy." For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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