Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The actress, who plays Maxine Peacock in the soap, announced the news on Instagram on Friday night. In a video, she told her followers she is due to start a five-month course of chemotherapy before having possible surgery.
Ms Shaw, 52, wrote alongside the post: 'My diagnosis of breast cancer. So the journey begins... Love to everyone who is going through this journey, looking forward to hearing from all of you, especially you amazing survivors. Peace.'
The actress explained she was originally due to have surgery in two weeks. However, she has been put on a five-month course of chemotherapy at the Royal Berkshire Hospital after results revealed she had HER2 in her cells. HER2 is a protein that quickens the growth of cancerous cells and is present in more aggressive forms of cancer.
Due to this diagnosis, she said: 'It means I have to have chemo for five months before then hopefully surgery to have the lumps removed and take the lymph glands out so they can do some more tests. And possibly more surgery before radiotherapy.'
Ms Shaw thanked the support she has received since the diagnosis, including 'the fellowships all over England, all over Ireland, all over the world', yet added: 'It doesn't mean it's been easy coming to terms with, and I know it sounds really trivial, but losing my hair.'
The star told her fans she is on the daily 12-step programme, having 'recovered from many addictions'. She listed them: 'Anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism, drug addiction, codependency, love addiction... you name it, I have been addicted to it and I have recovered from it.'
Ms Shaw also thanked fans for sending concerned messages after she took a step back from social media for Lent, saying: 'Thank you for messaging me to check how I am because I haven't been present on Instagram... that was due to during Lent I came off scrolling, I came off social media and put my phone down. I spent some time away from technology which has helped with dealing with this news.'
Her fans wrote: 'Sending love to you Tracey', 'What a brave and brilliant post. Sending positive vibes and love to you' and 'Thinking of you, I went through breast cancer two years ago. Sending best wishes x.'
Ms Shaw played her character Maxine from 1995 as the friend of Fiona Middleton, played by Angela Griffin. Her character went on to betray her friend by having a one-night stand with Fiona's boyfriend, Steve MacDonald. She was awarded the Rear of Year title a year after making her debut on the show. Maxine married butcher Ashley Peacock, played by Steven Arnold, and shared a son called Joshua. She also had a child with the local doctor, despite being married to Ashley. Maxine died when she was viciously murdered by Richard Hillman, hit by a crowbar after she returned home from the pub.
Ms Shaw also launched a pop career in 1998 and released two singles: Ridin' High and a cover of Lonnie Gordon's Happenin' All Over Again. After she left the soap, she played smaller roles in ITV dramas and has spent most of her time in the theatre.
