Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden has had a wig made as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.
The ballroom star, 33, first revealed her stage 3 diagnosis in May, assuring her fans that she was staying positive and more determined than ever to get back on the dancefloor.
Sadly, Amy is unable to take part in Strictly this year, with doctors discovering more tumours and, after previously having a single mastectomy, she’s having chemotherapy.
She’s been documenting the journey, sharing all the emotions of her hospital stays, with her Strictly co-stars and former contestants cheering her on.
In her latest update, Amy unveiled the wig she had made to help boost her confidence after previously sharing her worries about losing her hair.
Taking to her Instagram Story, she couldn’t help but sing the praises of Be Unique Wigs By Charlotte, saying she ‘loved’ her wig.
In fact, she even ordered a second, as well as a longer one.
A closer look was then shared of the wig itself, and it looks amazing.
Wig maker Charlotte wrote alongside a 360° video of the mousy brown wavy hair on a mannequin: ‘Had the pleasure of being asked to make this beautiful wig for the amazingly talented @amy_dowden it was an honour to make this for you and I’m hoping it will give you some comfort in a difficult time’.
She added that losing your hair during cancer treatment ‘can make such a difference to your confidence’ as it feels like ‘losing part of your identity’.
‘I’m very passionate about my job and try my best every day to get you the hair you all deserve’, she added sweetly.
Amy has also been wearing a cold cap amid her chemo, which is a hat worn during treatments with a cooling effect.
As explained by the NHS, it reduces blood flow to the scalp, which also reduces the amount of chemotherapy medication that reaches this area. This helps to prevent hair loss.
Amy’s wig joy comes after she celebrated her birthday on August 10, as well as that of her twin sister, Becky.
The performer – who found a lump in her breast when preparing for her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones – shared a sweet Instagram tribute for her lookalike sibling.
However, there was also a touch of sadness, as Amy admitted she was dreading the occasion.
She wrote: ‘I wasn’t looking forward to this birthday. At the moment any milestone or event is a bigger reminder and hurts.
How to check your breasts for signs of cancer
CoppaFeel! offers three simple steps on how to check your own chest for signs of cancer.
Look
- Look at your boobs, pecs or chest.
- Look at the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in size, outline or shape and changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling.
Feel
- Feel each of your boobs, pecs or chest.
- Feel the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone.
Be aware of any changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling, or any lumps, bumps or skin thickening which are different from the opposite side.
Notice your nipples
- Look at each of your nipples.
Be aware of any nipple discharge that’s not milky, any bleeding from the nipple, any rash or crusting on or around your nipple area that doesn’t heal easily and any change in the position of your nipple.
‘I’m far from what I should and normally be doing, in the rehearsal room with my Strictly family.’
‘But all your wishes this morning have certainly cheered me up,’ she told her followers.
Amy then went on to share that her birthday wish this year was for ‘all to take the time to check themselves’.
Tagging cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel!, she shared one of their information sheets about breast cancer.
‘[It] Doesn’t take long! That’s my birthday wish! Thank you so much again for all the love and support, it really does help and mean so much to me,’ she added.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
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