Former Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw has shared a heartbreaking update with fans after revealing she is preparing to begin chemotherapy following her breast cancer diagnosis.
The 52-year-old star, best known for playing Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap between 1995 and 2003, became emotional in a raw Instagram video as she admitted the reality of her illness has left her feeling overwhelmed.
Fighting back tears, Tracy confessed: “Each morning I wake up and know that I have to go into hospital and receive more news… I just think, ‘I can’t go through with this anymore,’ but I’ve not even started my journey.”
The actress revealed she will officially begin chemotherapy next week after spending time in the chemo ward undergoing tests. Despite her fear, she admitted part of her wants treatment to begin immediately so she can finally feel like the cancer is being fought.
Tracy emotionally explained that every new pain or symptom sends her mind spiralling, saying she worries whenever she feels a headache or a “twinge” because she fears the disease could be spreading.
In one of the most emotional moments of the video, she reflected on how different cancer feels compared to the addictions she previously battled and overcame through recovery programmes.
She told fans: “It isn’t like the addictions that I’ve recovered from by the grace of God. There appears to be a long road ahead, or a mountain.”
The soap legend also revealed she has already started preparing herself for one of chemotherapy’s toughest side effects by cutting much of her hair off before treatment begins.
Last month, Tracy first announced her breast cancer diagnosis and explained doctors had discovered HER2 in her cells — a protein linked to more aggressive forms of the disease.
She shared that after chemotherapy, she hopes to undergo surgery to remove lumps and lymph glands before potentially facing more surgery and radiotherapy depending on further test results.
Tracy also bravely opened up about her past struggles with addiction, revealing she previously battled anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism, drug addiction and codependency before finding recovery through the 12-step programme.
The actress thanked fans for their support and explained she had stepped away from social media during Lent to focus on her health and process the devastating news privately.
Support quickly flooded the comments section, with fans and fellow survivors praising her honesty and courage during such a frightening time.
Before leaving Coronation Street, Tracy became one of the soap’s most memorable stars thanks to her dramatic storylines as Maxine Peacock — including her shocking murder at the hands of serial killer Richard Hillman.
Away from acting, Tracy also briefly launched a pop career in the late 1990s and later focused on theatre work after stepping back from television.
