Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden celebrated her 36th birthday, describing each birthday as a "privilege" three years after her "terrifying" breast cancer battle. Dowden was diagnosed with cancer in May 2023 and underwent treatment that included a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and fertility treatments. She also experienced a life-threatening bout of sepsis and underwent a second surgery in November of the same year.

In February 2024, Dowden received the all-clear for the disease and has since returned to "Strictly Come Dancing." She shared a video on Instagram showing a friend lighting a candle on her cake, which she then blew out while holding a glass of Aperol Spritz. "Another birthday, and I'll always say that every birthday is a privilege," she wrote in the post. "Feeling so grateful after the most beautiful weekend spent with my loved ones, making memories and feeling very lucky to be surrounded by so much love."

Dowden expressed her excitement to celebrate her birthday by dancing with her "Strictly family," calling it the "best way to celebrate." She also wished her twin sister a happy birthday, acknowledging the special day they share. "Feeling very grateful, very loved and very blessed," she added.

Earlier this year, Dowden spoke about her desire to have children, a prospect complicated by medically induced menopause following her chemotherapy. She emotionally described her future motherhood as a "big dark cloud." Dowden, married to fellow dancer Ben Jones since 2022, has shared that the couple has frozen five embryos. "Will I become a mother? I've wanted to be a mummy since I was a little girl," she told The Mirror, adding that she would explore every option available.

In December, Dowden reflected on her cancer journey with a poignant social media post contrasting her lowest point with her current health. She shared a photo from two years prior, showing her in a hospital bed having lost her hair and with a cannula in her hand, alongside a recent image of her in good health. She recounted feeling that cancer had taken her dancing shoes and that she would "never be the same again." However, she credited her husband Ben and fellow "Strictly" star Carlos Gu for their support in her recovery. "A year ago I thought cancer took my dancing,I told myself I needed to hang my dancing shoes up but my darling husband Ben and [fellow Strictly star] Carlos Gu proved and made sure it didn’t," she wrote. She concluded by stating, "Cancer you didn’t take and will not take who I am!"

Breast cancer is a common disease globally. In the UK, over 55,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, resulting in approximately 11,500 deaths. In the United States, it affects around 266,000 individuals each year, with 40,000 fatalities. The disease typically develops in the lining of a breast duct or lobule. When cancer cells spread into surrounding tissue, it is termed 'invasive.' Some cases are diagnosed as 'carcinoma in situ,' where cancer cells remain confined to the duct or lobule. While most cases occur in women over 50, younger women can also be affected, and it is rare in men. The staging of breast cancer indicates its size and whether it has spread to other parts of the body, ranging from Stage 1 (earliest) to Stage 4 (most advanced). Cancer cells are graded from low (slow-growing) to high (fast-growing), with high-grade cancers having a greater likelihood of recurrence after initial treatment. The exact cause of cancer is unclear, but it is thought to involve damage or alteration to genes within a cell, leading to abnormal, uncontrolled multiplication. While breast cancer can occur without a clear reason, risk factors such as genetics can increase the likelihood. A common initial symptom is a painless lump, although most breast lumps are benign. Swelling or a lump in the armpit may indicate that cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, mammograms, and biopsies to examine tissue samples for abnormal cells. Further tests like blood tests, ultrasounds, or chest X-rays may be used to assess spread. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, often used in combination. The success of treatment is highest when cancer is diagnosed at an early stage before it has spread. Routine mammography screening in certain age groups contributes to earlier diagnosis and treatment.