Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden is rushed to hospital

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden was rushed to hospital on Saturday evening after collapsing backstage following the live show. 

The Wesh ballroom dancer, 34, who is understood to be in remission after battling breast cancer, returned to the show following a two year absence in September. 

But paramedics were called to the show's Hertfordshire base after 9:00pm on Saturday evening following reports of a 'medical emergency.' 

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: 'We were called just after 9pm on Saturday to attend a medical emergency at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. 

'An ambulance was sent to the scene. One patient, an adult female, was transported to Barnet Hospital for further care.' 

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Amy Dowden reveals second cancer scare that left her Strictly Come Dancing return in jeopardy

Moments earlier the dancer had performed the Foxtrot to Toploader hit Dancing In The Moonlight with her celebrity partner, JLS star JB Gill. 

But fans noted the dancer was partially seated during her latest performance. 

The pair climbed to number five on the Strictly leaderboard after being awarded a collective score of 32 from show judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

A statement from Dowden's spokesperson confirmed: 'Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution.

'She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern.

'We request Amy's privacy in matters of health is kindly respected.' 

Dowden's world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with cancer the day after she came home from her honeymoon with dancer husband Ben Jones in 2023.

While she hoped it could be cured by surgery, two months later in June doctors found another type of cancer.

Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard: Week Six

1. Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas: 38

2. Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola: 38

3. Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec: 37

4. Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe: 35

5. JB Gill and Amy Dowden: 32

6. Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał: 31

7. Wynne Evans and Katya Jones: 31

8. Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu: 31

9. Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin: 31 

10. Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell: 26

11. Dr Punam Krishnan and Gorka Marquez: 26

In what became the toughest year of her life, the professional dancer underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment and also almost died of sepsis. 

Dowden, who also battles Crohn's disease, confirmed she was cancer-free in February. 

While she will not get the all-clear for five years and will still need treatment, she thanked her family and friends for their support amid her 'toughest year'.

Sharing a jubilant picture with Instagram followers, she wrote: 'NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of! My biggest accomplishment yet!

'I won’t be getting the all clear for 5 years especially with a hormone fed cancer. But it was all worth it. Words I never thought I’d hear at one point.

'So grateful for all the care I received and continue to have.

'To my husband, family and friends who supported me unconditionally and to you guys! Thank you!'

She continued: 'I will still need a monthly injection for 5 years and regular check ups.

'Chemo and this past year has certainly took its toll on my body both physically and mentally, so I’ll be taking the next few months to heal and recover.

'I have so much to strive and live for, and so grateful for another chance at life! Something I know not all get. I certainly see life differently and my life has changed forever!

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Each year in the UK there are more than 55,000 new cases, and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, it strikes 266,000 each year and kills 40,000. But what causes it and how can it be treated?

What is breast cancer?

It comes from a cancerous cell which develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts.

When the breast cancer has spread into surrounding tissue it is called 'invasive'. Some people are diagnosed with 'carcinoma in situ', where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobule.

Most cases develop in those over the age of 50 but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, though this is rare.

Staging indicates how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body.

The cancerous cells are graded from low, which means a slow growth, to high, which is fast-growing. High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after they have first been treated.

What causes breast cancer?

A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'.

Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance, such as genetics.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most are not cancerous and are fluid filled cysts, which are benign. 

The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this occurs you will develop a swelling or lump in an armpit.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

• Initial assessment: A doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may do tests such as a mammography, a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can indicate the possibility of tumours.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer.

If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver or a chest X-ray.

How is breast cancer treated?

Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments are used.

• Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or the removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumour.
• Radiotherapy: A treatment which uses high energy beams of radiation focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells, or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery.
• Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying.
• Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the 'female' hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments which reduce the level of these hormones, or prevent them from working, are commonly used in people with breast cancer.

How successful is treatment?

The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure.

The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 71 means more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage.

For more information visit breastcancernow.org or call its free helpline on 0808 800 6000

'Cancer affects too many so I will continue to do all I can to raise awareness and make sure I get as many as I can to.

'It’s time to look ahead after what’s been the toughest year, and one I certainly didn’t expect!

'Dance floor I’m coming for you! Welsh love, always Amy x.'

Dowden had previously documented her cancer battle in a fly-on-the-wall BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer And Me.

Filmed over 15-months, the show followed Dowden as she navigated surgery, chemotherapy, fertility treatment, and an uncertain future.

She said of the documentary, which aired in August: 'A year ago I was recently married and about to go on honeymoon, it was an exciting new chapter in my life, but finding a lump on my breast changed my life.

'I never thought at my age I would get cancer and, despite having family members and friends who were cancer survivors, had no idea just what the impact on my life would be.

'I’ve learnt so much about myself and what a cancer diagnosis means on this journey. I hope others find hope and strength from this film, and that it encourages everyone to check themselves, no matter what age you are.'

What is Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease is an agonising digestive condition that blights the lives of 115,000 people in Britain and as many as 1.6 million in the US.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and potentially dangerous weight loss. Magician Dynamo is a famous sufferer.

Eight out of ten patients will need a part of the intestine removed as it becomes so damaged it prevents digestion.

Its cause is still not known and there is currently no cure but some with the condition have considered their diet to be a factor.

However, bacteria is already known to play a major role in causing Crohn’s disease, in addition to genetics and diet.

Conventional treatment is with drugs that suppress the immune system's production of a protein called TNF, which causes inflammation. 

During the show, Dowden also revealed she was rushed back to hospital with a second cancer scare as doctors were concerned about abnormalities in her breast after a check-up.

She told viewers: 'It was a scare, such a worrying time.

'I'll never forget them calling me to say we're sorry but we've seen something we don't like the look of.

'I was in disbelief, I thought I can't go back through this again, I can't miss Strictly again. 

'My whole family were heartbroken.'

After shaving her head and inspiring others after she appeared on Strictly without a wig, Dowden admitted she had been targeted by online trolls. 

While she was supported by her parents, husband Ben and her Strictly family, the dancer also admitted even some of her friends who attended her wedding lost contact after her diagnosis.  

She said: 'When I had to tell Strictly, I was asking "Can I keep my job?" because that was the scariest thing.

'To dance at the highest level, you have to be as fit as an athlete. 

'I was scared about how treatment would affect my body.'

Discussing how her treatment wiped her out she added: 'I was gutted. It completely wiped me out for Strictly. 

'I was heartbroken because I wanted to be on the dance floor.'

In July, Dowden paid an emotional tribute to her husband as she celebrated their second wedding anniversary. 

Alongside a selection of stunning photos from their wedding day, she wrote: 'Happy 2nd anniversary! I think it's fair to say we've been through quite a bit during married life. But I'm forever grateful for you! 

'Thank you for this past year! I know at times it's been so tough for you to watch but you kept positive, kept the house clean away from infections and tried to keep me as positive as possible.

'I love you even more! Let's hope for a smoother year ahead! But what I do know is we have each other! 

'More adventures, my crazy last min plans, house renovations, dance school fun and basically just us being us! Love you always.'

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