28 May 2023 , 13:29
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Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden was all smiles a she was seen for the first time since bravely sharing her cancer diagnosis.
The 32-year-old revealed this month that she had found a lump in her breast in April, the day before going to the Maldives on her honeymoon.
Returning to Instagram for the first time since sharing her health update, Amy was pictured beaming with her nephew at a family party.
"Our darling nephew Jacob is 1! Got him his first set of wheels . But he’s more impressed with soaking his outfit with his outdoor rain forest water table! We love you Jacob! Happy first birthday party darling," wrote Amy.
The professional dancer's post was immediately commented on by her fellow stars at the BBC show, who have supported her in the last few weeks.
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Amy Dowden in full Strictly glam (BBC)
EastEnders' James Bye was partnered with her in the 2022 series (PA)Former contestant Sara Davies said: "Omg he’s looking so grown up!!! Where has that year gone!?!"
Last Wednesday, Amy wrote in a statement posted on Instagram: "I've got some news which isn't easy to share.
"I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I am determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it. Welsh love Amy X."
The same day as her social media statement, the dancer, who joined Strictly in 2017, said in an exclusive interview with Hello!: "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 first discovered a lump in her right breast in April the day before jetting off to the Maldives on honeymoon with her husband Ben.
She shared: "I was in the shower and I felt this hard lump in my right breast."
Trying not to worry too much about it in case it triggered a flare up of Crohn's disease, she booked in with her GP as soon as they git home to the West Midlands - and was sent for an emergency referral before being diagnosed two weeks ago with grade 3 breast cancer.
“My doctor explained to me that there are three grades, and three is the most aggressive, but they feel like they've caught mine early and to not be too alarmed because grade 3 would be expected in somebody of my age," she explained to Hello!
Last June she joined I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner Giovanna Fletcher on a charity hike in Pembrokeshire for CoppaFeel, a charity that encourages people to check their breasts and supports people with breast cancer.
Amy partnered Giovanna’s husband McFly frontman Tom Fletcher during the 2021 series of Strictly.
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During the hike Amy posted: "Would love any donation possible towards this fantastic charity which is very close to my heart after watching my mum and close friend battle with breast cancer."
She also admitted that taking part in the walk - and learning how to check her breasts for lumps - saved her life.