Amy Dowden’s mastectomy decision explained – despite no new cancer diagnosis

Amy Dowden’s mastectomy decision explained – despite no new cancer diagnosis

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Experts praise Amy Dowden of Strictly Come Dancing for raising awareness of breast cancer. There are many reasons why doctors may suggest a second mastectomy, according to experts.

Amy Dowden, a member of Strictly Come Dancing, has revealed that she will have another mastectomy despite not having recently received a cancer diagnosis.

Medical professionals may recommend this for a variety of reasons. Breast removal surgery is known as a mastectomy. This procedure is known as a single or unilateral mastectomy if you remove just one breast. This procedure is known as a double or bilateral mastectomy if both of your breasts have been removed.

The professional dancer was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 at age 32. Now in a post in Instagram she has announced the surgery was not to treat a new cancer diagnosis – but came following an appointment with her “incredible” medical team.

According to Cancer Research UK, if you have any of the following, your surgeon is most likely to suggest mastectomy:

  • have a large tumour, particularly in a small breast
  • have multiple breast cancer areas?
  • have large breast milk ducts filled with cancer cells.
  • The skin around the nipples is affected by Paget’s disease.
  • pregnant and unable to receive radiotherapy
  • have a medical condition that might cause you to struggle with radiotherapy’s potential side effects, such as pulmonary fibrosis, lupus, or Ehlers-Danlos.
  • have previously received radiotherapy to the chest wall
  • have inflammatory breast cancer, a type of breast cancer.
  • breast cancer in men
  • have a very high risk of developing breast cancer as a result of a gene mutation or a family history.

After initially “thinking the worst,” Amy, 35, described how she stared death in the face during her grueling cancer battle this weekend. In February 2024, she received the final approval.

The Welsh actress stated in a caption on her Instagram that she has always been very open about her health and the care she receives. So, let me start by making it clear that what I’m about to share is not intended to cure a recent cancer diagnosis.

However, I’ve made the decision to have another mastectomy this week following a recent appointment with my incredible medical team. I can anticipate a straightforward recovery, they say, knowing everything is going well. I look forward to returning to my traditional family once I’ve recovered.

“Of course, I’m going to miss not being there so much, but I’m going to be watching from home and looking forward to cheering everyone on.” I appreciate you always providing support.

Amy Dowden has since become one of the most recognizable advocates for early cancer detection in the UK since being first identified in 2023.

Breast Cancer Now’s senior clinical nurse specialist, Louise Grimsdell, said: “Someone might have a mastectomy on the unaffected side for a variety of reasons. Each person’s choice to undergo this procedure is a complex and profoundly personal choice.

This is why it is crucial for women to be informed about their options and have support from their treatment teams so they can choose the treatment that is best for them.

“We send Amy our best wishes and support as she prepares for her surgery, but we do not know the reasons behind her mastectomy.”

Amy has shown incredible courage by openly expressing her breast cancer experience, raising awareness of the ongoing effects of a breast cancer diagnosis, including those related to treatment and the sometimes difficult choices people have to make.

Breast cancer surgeons might suggest a mastectomy or lumpectomy for breast cancer. When the cancer is removed along with normal breast tissue’s border, the surgeon removes it.

We wish Amy Dowden the best of both her treatment and recovery, according to Caroline Geraghty, information nurse at Cancer Research UK. Sharing her cancer journey with Amy has been incredibly helpful, and celebrity cancer cases frequently inspire others to think more about their own health.

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“People should check with their GP if they find something that isn’t normal for them or isn’t going away.” Treatment is more likely to succeed if cancer is detected early.

Anyone in need of assistance can visit breastcancernow.com or call 0808 800 6000 to speak with one of Breast Cancer Now’s knowledgeable staff members. For more details, visit www.org.

Source: Mirror

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