Former Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw has spoken emotionally about her breast cancer treatment, saying there is 'nothing normal' about life while undergoing chemotherapy. The 52-year-old, best known for playing Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap from 1995 to 2003, appeared on Thursday's edition of Lorraine to give an update on her battle.
Dressed in a colourful headscarf, Shaw told presenter Lorraine Kelly: 'Unless you've been there, you don't know how awful it really feels because there's nothing normal about your life anymore when you're going through chemo.' Despite the ordeal, she said she considers herself 'very lucky' and is focused on raising awareness and calling for more government funding for cancer research.
Shaw's appearance comes days after she tearfully admitted she had 'no strength left' following a trip to A&E. In a video shared on social media, she described the gruelling side effects of chemotherapy, including thrush, diarrhoea, and loss of taste. 'It feels like I'm as vulnerable as a baby,' she said, adding that her staple diet is now just eggs, plain crisps, and plain bread.
The actress, who also starred in Mile High and Casualty, praised the support she has received from fellow cancer patients on Instagram, saying they 'saved my life today' by advising her on what to tell doctors. She also thanked her neighbour Robbie for taking her to hospital after her son was away at a wedding.
Shaw announced her breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year and began aggressive chemotherapy treatment shortly after. She has two adult sons from a previous relationship.
