Amy Dowden opens up on fertility journey and how Strictly saved her life

As I read through Amy Dowden‘s heartfelt story, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by her resilience and determination. Her journey has been nothing short of remarkable, from facing a life-altering diagnosis to bravely sharing her bald head with millions on national television.

This interview was originally published in TopMob magazine.

At seven in the evening, Amy Dowden graces my screen. Her eyes sparkle, she’s grinning widely, and her energy levels are high, remarkable considering she’d only recently returned home from a full day of non-stop dancing for eight hours.

Among the most radiant dancers on Strictly Come Dancing, at 34 years old, she’s right in her prime – serving as a tangible testament that, as she shares in an emotional and motivating new BBC documentary, even someone like her can battle cancer, demonstrating that it could happen to anyone.

She shares how partnering with Tom Fletcher during the 2021 dancing show turned out to be incredibly fortunate for her. As it happened, right before marrying another dancer, Ben Jones in 2022, she walked alongside Tom’s wife Giovanna for a charity event organized by CoppaFeel!, an organization dedicated to breast cancer awareness. This walk ended up being pivotal in saving her life.

“During that journey, I encountered remarkable individuals who had battled breast cancer at a young age. It struck me, ‘I’m being dishonest, trekking to promote self-examination and yet, I don’t practice it myself.’ From then on, I began to regularly check myself. In April 2023, after several months, I discovered a lump.”

Before setting off for their honeymoon in the Maldives, Dowden found something concerning. She kept her anxiety undisclosed until a month later, when she had to return to the hospital following some tests. The nurse explained that they required someone to accompany her; Ben was by her side when she received the diagnosis.

“She went on to say that she never expected to develop breast cancer. At the time, she was only 32 years old, a fit dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, and had recently gotten married. She thought mammograms wouldn’t start until her 50s.”

One key element that Dowden anticipates resonating with viewers of the new documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, is his desire to enlighten younger individuals about self-examination and the impact on their future fertility.

For the Welsh dancer, hearing she had stage three breast cancer was just one of two devastating blows she received that day. The immediate follow-up question, “What are your fertility plans?” felt like another punch to the stomach.

Ben and I had been a couple for quite some time, often discussing the idea of starting a family. I sensed something was off with my health before they confirmed it as cancer, so I was somewhat prepared for that, but the fertility issue took me by surprise. At that moment, it felt like everything I had built was collapsing around me.

In 2016, this dance pair, who were champions in British National Amateur Latin and also manage their own dance school alongside their Strictly commitments, learned that her cancer treatment might affect her ovaries and trigger premature menopause. To prevent this, the most suitable choice was to collect and preserve her eggs. This revelation came as a surprise: “I had no clue. My mother had breast cancer but she managed to have three children.”

In June 2023, Dowden underwent a single mastectomy surgery. Six weeks later, she was due to begin chemotherapy treatment. This short span provided her time to recuperate from one intense ordeal before moving onto the next. Just two weeks post-surgery, she began self-administering fertility medications in preparation for egg retrieval.

She remembers it as a frightening experience. The cancer diagnosis alone was overwhelming, and to compound matters, additional challenges emerged. It was an incredibly stressful period for her. She was injected with numerous hormones, grappling with the emotional toll of everything, and then she entered menopause on the day her chemotherapy began. Her body was confused and unsure about the sudden changes it was experiencing.

The anticipation for the outcome of the retrieval was “unending,” Dowden recalls, and the documentary captures the poignant instant when she learned the result.

She muses, “We’re not foolish, we understand the difficulty of conceiving, yet we only had one opportunity. Previously, I wasn’t anticipating positive outcomes; each visit seemed to worsen, but that day, fortune favored me.”

The medical team successfully retrieved five embryos, keeping them frozen until Dowden is prepared to explore pregnancy options. “I’ll need to consult with my doctor about it later,” she explains. “In the meantime, I focus on maintaining my fitness and overall wellness.”

At that point, Dowden chose to capture the events following her cancer diagnosis and treatment on camera. This was reminiscent of how her 2020 documentary about living with Crohn’s disease had increased awareness. She explains that having already shown herself at her lowest points during the previous filming, she decided to transform this negative situation into a positive one.

“I didn’t have much time to ponder, as the BBC informed us that we could halt the collaboration whenever it became overwhelming. Our connection was one of mutual decision-making.”

Was going through her treatment with a production crew beneficial or detrimental? She’s too truthful to claim it was all advantageous. “At times, it offered me direction and motivation. At other instances, it was challenging. You’re exhausted, you’re unwell, you yearn for bed. There were instances when it was difficult, but generally speaking, it did provide me with a sense of purpose and focus.”

Without a doubt, the documentary unreservedly reveals the diverse experiences that Dowden faced last year, while her family was by her side.

She acknowledges that it’s been just as challenging for them both, she notes. As Ben ponders the impact of Dowden’s health condition on their family dynamic, and Dowden trembles with fear at the thought of her initial chemotherapy session.

The cameras paused recording just once, which was when she developed a severe case of sepsis while undergoing treatment and had to be admitted to the intensive care unit.

In other words, everything is present, including the crucial part of breast cancer treatment that often leaves an indelible mark on numerous women – the point at which Dowden understood that maintaining her hair was futile.

At first, I gave the cold cap a try – a snug hat designed for chemotherapy sessions, supposedly chilling my scalp to minimize blood flow and potentially save my hair. Despite my resolve to don it, I found the discomfort growing with each use.

She clarifies that it’s very chilly. You need to put it on for a full 30 minutes prior and wear it for 90 minutes afterwards during your chemotherapy session. Additionally, I required my chemotherapy to be diluted, which made the sessions last even longer.

By the end of my fourth treatment round, my Crohn’s disease had left me extremely ill and I was also losing my hair. The nurse asked, ‘Given all your body has been through, is the cold cap really worth continuing?’ This question made me feel that it was acceptable for me to stop using it.

Instead of letting my tresses fall haphazardly, I decided to gather my loved ones for an impromptu barbering bash. In this intimate setting, I boldly took the scissors into my own hands and, with a deep breath, transformed my mane into a bald pate. The reality of hair loss weighed heavily on me, leaving me in distress as I watched strands cascade from my brush. I found myself questioning the necessity of clinging to this once cherished aspect of my appearance, ultimately deciding that it was time to embrace this change wholeheartedly.

“I came to understand that I couldn’t manage everything else, but I could take charge here. We made it enjoyable by throwing a gathering with some fizzy, non-alcoholic beverages. I’m genuinely pleased I made that choice. It gave me a sense of power and left me feeling incredibly proud.”

During the 2023 Strictly season, Dowden’s visit to the studio, where she usually sported long blonde hair, became a different kind of experience when she decided to appear bald in front of millions of viewers instead of just her closest loved ones.

Originally, she intended to sport a wig while reciting the show’s terms and conditions, a decision that had boosted her fame since her 2017 debut. However, at the last moment, she chose to appear without a wig on her head.

She smiled, recalling the moment: “The experience was incredibly fulfilling. Prior to that night, I had always been self-conscious, even at home. If workmen visited our house, I’d wear a hat. But on Strictly Come Dancing, I felt free and no longer needed to conceal myself.”

In addition to her treatment journey, Dowden frequently posted updates on social media, which generated an overwhelming response of support, curiosity, and appreciation, yet unfortunately, also attracted trolls. They criticized her as being self-centered and seeking attention, suggesting she should move on and deal with her situation, claiming that she was merely complaining since it wasn’t stage four cancer.

“One told me I looked like Matt Lucas, which I probably did because I was bald.”

She expresses a justified anger. “I’m grateful for the backing I received, yet many do not have that luxury, and such words might push someone to their limit. It’s crucial for people to learn more. Something must be addressed about this, as it’s cyberbullying and it’s unacceptable.”

“I wonder if the past year has shaped her as an individual.” To which she quickly responds, “Indeed, it has.” She continues, “My self-image was altered significantly, I put on two stone, lost my eyebrows, and found myself unable to dance. It becomes clear what truly matters and what doesn’t need attention. I no longer fret about anything now. If I experience a hot flush from menopause and start sweating, so be it.”

When it comes to the drawbacks of her journey, Dowden is swift to highlight the benefits, such as her strong spouse, her family, the extended Strictly community (“who went above and beyond”), and her personal goal of returning to the dance floor.

Now, she’s reemerging for the 20th anniversary season, shining brightly amidst numerous storms, with accusations of harassment casting shadows on the production. Regarding the continuous media conjecture, she brushes it aside.

“Having experienced similar challenges as me, you come to understand what truly matters and what deserves attention. I’m now returning to a program that was part of my childhood, marking its 20th anniversary.”

Additionally, this present is also a wonderful surprise for my loved ones, considering the past year’s events. I try to avoid getting swept away by the news and the public eye, instead, I keep my attention on the current moment and prioritize each step I take.

To conclude, I inquire from Dowden about the significance of returning to her glittering costumes and dancing shoes at the event’s debut. Her face lights up. “It means everything,” she replies, “Just seeing the wardrobe team today filled me with excitement. It feels like my first year all over again!”

“My goal is to inspire others who have faced similar challenges by sharing my story of resilience and returning to the things I cherish. Gratitude fills me, and you’ll find me beaming with joy throughout.”

Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Monday 26th August 2024.

2024-08-20 02:38

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