Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden shares ‘heartbreaking’ hair loss as she gives health update in breast cancer battle

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has given an emotional and candid health update as she continues her breast cancer fight.

The bubbly Welsh dancer, 33, has revealed her heartache after losing her hair as a result of chemotherapy treatment.

Brave Amy wrote on Instagram: “What I’ve found harder this time round and the last few days is the hair shedding.

“As much as I prepared myself, waking up everyday gently combing my hair with a wide comb and seeing what comes out, it is just heart-breaking personally for me.

“I’m only washing my hair once, max twice, this week, not using any heat on my hair or styling it, so I just don’t feel like me.

“So it’s time to bring out the wig, I say, and get used to this, and help me feel like me.”

During her treatment Amy has been wearing a cold cap – a hat that has a cooling effect by reducing blood flow to the scalp. According to the NHS, it also reduces the level of medication that reaches the scalp which can help with hair loss.

The dancer, who had a mastectomy in June to combat the disease, then shared a video of hairs in a sink after some “gentle combing”.

Amy’s latest round of treatment has led to other nasty side effects such as sickness, nausea and mouth ulcers.

She explained: “So this cycle, I started feeling sick soon as second lot of ‘red devil’ was going in. Got home very tired and started being sick (even with all the anti sickness), by Friday afternoon the sickness stopped and just waves of nausea. 

“Still taking anti sickness now. Hardly any sleep due to steroids and insomnia they bring with them. Didn’t have any last cycle but some lovely mouth ulcer friends this time round.

“But I’ve managed some walks, lovely homemade soups and smoothies and feeling even better today. The little wins!”

Amy, who also has Crohn’s disease, was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in May.

It came after she discovered a lump in her right breast the day before flying to the Maldives in April for a belated honeymoon with husband Ben Jones.

The star has a history of cancer in her family, telling Hello! Magazine: “My Mum had thyroid cancer and breast cancer when I was younger, and it was tough to watch her go through it.

“It’s important to remember the effect cancer has on the whole family – it can be just as difficult watching your loved one go through it, and that can take a toll on everyone’s health.”