Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has opened up for the first time about the harrowing experience of undergoing a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
The 32-year-old professional dancer shared news of her diagnosis in May, and began treatment last week as she bravely told fans that she was "more determined than ever to get back on the dance floor". Amy has since undergone gruelling surgery to remove two tumours, cancer 'specks' and some lymph nodes from her right breast.
Speaking to The Mirror, Amy admitted: "The hardest time was waiting for surgery, thinking 'I have cancer inside me'. You're thinking, 'it's grade three, what if it's spreading, what if it spreads tonight?'"
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The star is now awaiting the results of her histopathology report, which analyses the tissue samples taken during her surgery so doctors can tell her what stage her cancer is at and whether it has spread. There is a 50/50 chance as to whether she will need only radiotherapy or chemotherapy too, and she has also been tested for the BRCA gene.
The BRCA gene is a mutation which means that someone has a much higher risk of developing breast cancer. Amy has been tested due to the fact that her mum was also diagnosed with breast cancer, and if the test comes back positive she will face a second mastectomy.
Amy first discovered a lump in her breast the day before going on a belated honeymoon with husband Ben Jones in April. The pair, dance partners who run a dance school near their West Midlands' home, tied the knot last July.
"Before I went for surgery he said to my boob, 'nice knowing you'. That's so Ben," Amy laughed.
Amy hopes that sharing her diagnosis with others will encourage more people to carry out the vital checks that can help to find and treat breast cancer early. "I want to get people to check, and I wanted them to be aware of what they're looking for," she explained.
"Even if ten people start, I'll have done my job." For a full guide on how to check your breasts or chest, visit Coppafeel.org.
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