Strictly's Amy Dowden says 'it broke my heart' as she issues heartbreaking health update

Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden confessed "there's no guarantee" as she updated fans on her health amidst her cancer battle.

The 35 year old announced her breast cancer diagnosis in May 2023, meaning she could not participate in that year's series of Strictly. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and fertility treatment before she nearly lost her life after contracting the deadly infection sepsis.

Today (Monday, November 3) the dancer from Wales revealed she is set to undergo a second mastectomy.

Her shocking initial diagnosis came less than a year after she tied the knot with professional dance partner Ben Jones, and delayed their plans to start a family, something which she admits "broke my heart". Before she started her chemo she was placed in medically-induced menopause but only after five of her embryos were retrieved.

Speaking to The Dr Hilary Show podcast, she said: "I would have loved to be a mum already, but hopefully one day," reports Wales Online.

"It's not how many years since you had cancer, since you were diagnosed, it's how many years since you finished treatment then they will consider taking a pause out of treatment to see if your body will reboot, come out of menopause.

"Obviously I still don't know, will my body reboot, has chemotherapy affected it after being put into forced menopause, there's no guarantee."

Taking to Instagram today, she offered fans an update on the latest in her ongoing health battle.

She wrote: "As you all know I've always been very open about my health and the care I receive. So I'd like to start by being clear what I am about to share is not to treat a new cancer diagnosis.

"However following a recent appointment with my incredible team, we've decided that I'll be having another mastectomy this week. They're confident that, all going well, I can expect a straightforward recovery."

During an appearance on Dr Hilary Jones' podcast, she disclosed the initial devastation of her cancer diagnosis and how it impacted her immediate plans to begin a family.

She wed her longtime partner Ben Jones in July 2022, less than a year before her cancer was detected.

Amy said: "You're all of a sudden in a world where you've just got married, you're asked what are your fertility plans. I'd love the honour of being a mum.

"You're already in a blur with the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis and then all of a sudden you're 'what do you mean fertility, what do you mean it's going to affect that'.

"That broke my heart, I cried so much and I couldn't get my head around that."

Amy acknowledged that one reality provided her with "reassurance". The quality of eggs stems from when they were harvested, which occurred shortly before her 33rd birthday, not when she will carry them.

Her consultant agreed to have a conversation about her fertility in January 2027. Amy found herself partnered with the contentious ex-The Apprentice star, Thomas Skinner, in this year's series of the popular BBC programme, but they were the first duo to be shown the door.

This comes after a string of misfortunes for the dancer, who had to withdraw from last year's show due to a foot injury. Her celebrity partner, JLS vocalist JB Gill, ultimately came in second place.