Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff says she's 'in a black hole' and unable to get out of bed after discovering she's at an elevated risk of breast cancer

Published: 09:35 EDT, 6 October 2026 | Updated: 09:51 EDT, 6 October 2026 Kristina Rihanoff has been 'suffering in silence' with a secret cancer scare.The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 49, has bravely spoken out about spending the last year battling extreme perimenopause symptoms and 'incredibly heavy periods', as well as finding out she carries a rare genetic mutation.The mutation, called an abnormal CHEK2 gene, can double her risk of developing breast cancer and after its discovery, she has undergone regular checks, included mammograms, blood tests and both ovarian and breast scans.Kristina is used to 'looking on the bright side', but she admitted ongoing health woes are taking their 'toll', as she told Closer: 'Now I live with this worry day and night. Once I start worrying, I can't get it out of my head...'It's like a monster that grows inside you. I wake up sweating, with my heart jumping out of my chest. I'm normally good at looking on the bright side, but this has been so demoralising and it's really taking its toll.'For the last three or four months, I've felt like I'm in a black hole. I don't want to socialise or be in the public eye... Some days, I can barely get out of bed because of the pain, sickness and headaches, but I've been putting on a brave face.' Kristina Rihanoff has been 'suffering in silence' with a secret cancer scareKristina, who has been told by her doctors not to take HRT, is currently having to decide whether to undergo a hysterectomy to remove her womb and ovaries to stop her periods.Kristina has a family history of both ovarian and breast cancer, which led to her undergoing genetic testing in 2023.The professional dancer, who wants to encourage people to be more aware of what others could be going through, noted that her 10-year-old daughter Mila helps her cope on her dark days.In 2013, Kristina took part in the Dare To Bare campaign with Escentual.com to raise money for Breast Cancer Care, in which she went without make-up in honour of the cause. Kristina has had a turbulent time of late, as last year it was reported she and her ex Ben Cohen reportedly 'facing a major dispute with creditors and the government' over their financial troubles. Kristina and the ex-rugby player, 46, became the latest stars to be hit by the infamous 'Strictly curse' after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak last year.Daily Mail was told that the severe financial difficulties they had recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.A friend of the couple recently told MailOnline: 'The past six months have been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have chosen to go forward as separate individuals. The professional dancer, who wants to encourage people to be more aware of what others could be going through, noted that her 10-year-old daughter Mila helps her cope on her dark days Kristina and the ex-rugby player, 46, became the latest stars to be hit by the infamous 'Strictly curse' after their 12-year romance ended in heartbreak last year (pictured in 2014)'Those close to them who know them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out but for now it's over and it looks like there's no going back.'The couple were left with crippling debts after they ploughed every penny they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis during the Covid pandemic.The extent of their struggles were laid bare in unusual circumstances - during a court appearance last September when Kristina was caught driving without insurance.Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning star Ben admitted he had bungled the handling of their car insurance policy and told how he was 'fighting to save his relationship and home'.In a tortuously frank admission he told the court: 'I get up every day and I fight not to lose everything - to lose my cars and my house and my relationship. I'm so overdrawn.'