The former “Miss Germany” and “Wheel of Fortune” letter fairy Katrin Wrobel (45) spoke in an interview with the “Bild” newspaper about her breast cancer. “For years I’ve had a mammary gland that fills up with water but also swells up again, which is not uncommon in the cycle. But then this summer I noticed that the thing was getting bigger quite rapidly and at some point with every movement it started to close pain,” says the presenter and actress, who then underwent a mammography and a biopsy.
The second sample from the tumor contained cancer cells, which is why the tumor was removed from the left breast in September, Wrobel explained. A doctor then informed her that cancer cells had been found at the edge of the tumor. As a result, it could not be ruled out that the cancer cells had spread in the mammary gland tissue. A mastectomy, the complete removal of the mammary gland and the reconstruction of the breast with silicone, was necessary. “I had it done three weeks ago,” says the 45-year-old. “Since then I’ve only been able to move my left arm to a limited extent, not even lifting heavy ones. My recovery phase should go until March.”
Wrobel reveals that she initially had problems with the implant. “I know there are women who choose silicone voluntarily. But I was never one of them. But if part of your femininity is taken away from you, that’s something completely different.” She slowly got used to the silicone pillow.
Because no visible proven lumps were found just under the skin or the nipple, she doesn’t need to undergo chemotherapy or even radiation, Wrobel says. Fortunately, no cancer was found in the right breast. The doctors had therefore advised her not to remove the healthy breast. “If I had to endure therapies again, it wouldn’t be so easy if there was already an implant in it.”
Her family has given her strong support over the past few months, which have been “a roller coaster ride of emotions.” Her husband came to the clinic every day and did not leave her alone. Her 13-year-old daughter also said to her: “‘We can do it! We’ll just fight the cancer away!’ She pulled it off really well. I’m so proud of her.”
Born in Berlin, Katrin Wrobel was named “Miss Germany” in 2002. After that, she acted as the letter fairy on the quiz show “Wheel of Fortune” and took on various acting roles. She also acts as moderator on TV and at events.
