Signs and symptoms of breast cancer as Amy Dowden reveals diagnosis
The professional dancer shared the news on Instagram.

Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Amy Dowden has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Caerphilly-born Dowden, who joined the BBC dance competition show in 2017, shared the news on Instagram, telling fans that she is ādeterminedā to return to the dance floor as soon as she can.
The 32-year-old wrote: āHey all, Iāve got some news which isnāt easy to share. Iāve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but Iām determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it.ā
MaldivesDowden went to the GP after realising the lump had grown after her holiday. Last week she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
She told Hello Magazine: āMy doctor explained to me that there are three grades, and three is the most aggressive, but they feel like theyāve caught mine early and to not be too alarmed because grade three would be expected in somebody of my age.
āYou just donāt ever think itās going to happen to you. I hadnāt thought it was possible to get breast cancer at my age.
āMy mum has had breast cancer, but she had it at a later age, in her 50s.ā
What are the signs to know?
Many women know that a lump can be a possible symptom of breast cancer, but there are other signs of the disease to look for,ā says Manveet Basra, head of public health and wellbeing at Breast Cancer Now.
āWhile most breast changes, including lumps, wonāt be cancer, itās important to contact your GP as soon as possible if you notice a change to your breast thatās new or unusual for you, as the sooner breast cancer is found, the more successful treatment is likely to be.ā
Clare OāNeill from CoppaFeel!, wants everyone to be breast aware, āBecause people of all ages and genders have breast tissueā, she says.
She recommends checking your breasts or pecs once a month, while adding: āIt can be normal to have pain and lumps around the time of your period.ā
So what symptoms other than lumps should you be aware of? If you see āany puckering, thickening, dimpling or rash of the skin, talk to your doctorā, advises OāNeill.
āAlso talk to your doctor if you notice a change in direction of the nipple or any bleeding or discharge from the nipple, or swelling of the chest or armpit. Breast awareness is not supposed to be scary, itās about empowering people to know their bodies.ā
How to check your breasts
āChecking your breasts only takes a few minutes. It could be when getting dressed, when showering or putting on moisturiser,ā says Basra.
āItās important to remember to check your whole breast area, your armpits and up to your collarbone (upper chest) for changes. Thereās no special technique, itās as simple as TLC: Touch, Look, Check.ā
See your GP if you have any worries about possible symptoms, and you can call Breast Cancer Nowās free helpline on 0808 800 6000.