Amy Dowden to have 2nd mastectomy this week, not for new cancer

Amy Dowden, the 35-year-old professional dancer from Strictly Come Dancing, has announced she will undergo a second mastectomy this week following a review with her medical team. In an Instagram post she said the operation is not being carried out to treat a new cancer diagnosis and that doctors are confident she can expect a straightforward recovery, after which she plans to rejoin the show’s community from home.

Dowden was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 after finding a lump the day before her honeymoon. She underwent an initial mastectomy and chemotherapy, and in February 2024 said tests showed no evidence of disease. Further scans and pathology at diagnosis revealed a larger tumour and the presence of two types of cancer, ductal and lobular, which made treatment more complex. Before starting chemotherapy she had eggs frozen and later reported having five embryos preserved as a fertility option.

Speaking on The Dr Hilary Show podcast, Dowden described the emotional impact of the diagnosis and its effect on fertility. “I would love the honour of being a mum, so that was a real, you know… The devastating news of a cancer diagnosis. Suddenly, you’re thinking, What...