Coronation Street legend Tracy Shaw reveals she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer
CORONATION Street legend Tracy Shaw has revealed she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The actress, who is best known for playing Maxine Peacock in the soap, took to Instagram tonight to share the news and told fans she is due to start five months of chemotherapy before potentially having surgery.
Tracy, 52, wrote alongside a video: “My diagnosis of breast cancer.
So the journey begins …..
“Love to everyone who is also going through this journey, looking forward to hearing from you all, especially you amazing survivors.”
The actress explained she was due to have surgery in two weeks but doctors at the Royal Berkshire Hospital told her she needs to undergo chemo after tests revealed she has HER2 in her cells.
HER2 is a protein that promotes cancer cell growth and is found in more aggressive types of the disease.
She said after the course of chemo she hopes to have surgery to remove lumps and lymph glands so more tests can be done, which could lead to further surgery before radiotherapy.
Samia Longchambon commented: “Sending love to you Tracy.”
Sally Ann Matthews wrote: “Love you baby girl x.”
A fan said: “What a brave and brilliant post. Sending positive vibes and love to you.”
Tracy said she is currently in a daily 12 step programme and told fans she’s recovered from “many addictions” including anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism and drugs.
She thanked her friends in fellowships around the world for supporting.
The star said she has struggled with losing some of her hair as a result of the cancer but added: “I am truly grateful that I have this opportunity to hopefulyl be free from cancer as well.”
She also thanked fans for sending messages asking if she was OK after taking time away from social media for Lent to be more present.
Tracy’s soap character Maxine arrived on the cobbles in 1995 as a friend of Fiona Middleton (Angela Griffin).
However, she betrayed her pal by having a one-night stand with Fiona’s boyfriend – Steve MacDonald.
A year after making her Weatherfield debut, she was awarded the Rear of the Year title.
In the soap, Maxine married butcher Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and they welcomed a son named Joshua.
She also ended up having a baby with the local doctor – despite being married to Ashley.
Her run came to an end when she was brutally murdered by Richard Hillman.
The character was struck with a crowbar after she returned home from the pub.
In the real world, Tracy’s pop career launched in 1998 and saw the release of two singles.
These were Ridin’ High and a cover of Lonnie Gordon’s Happenin’ All Over Again.
Since leaving the soap, she played minor roles in ITV dramas but the majority of her work has been in the theatre.
The star appeared opposite Jason Connery in stage play The Blue Room in 2003.
The role saw her bare all on stage – as well as playing 15 different women in the production.
How to check your breasts
IT is important to regularly check your breasts for any changes.
Breast tissue reaches all the way up to your collarbone and across to your armpit, so it’s vital to check these areas too.
If you feel or see any changes in your breast, you should always consult your GP.
Charity CoppaFeel! recommends checking your breasts monthly, so you can pick up on any changes quickly.
Breasts do change naturally as part of your monthly menstrual cycle, so you should get to know your breasts, how they feel and what changes they usually go through to know if anything is out of the ordinary.
Five-step check
There is a five-step self exam you can do at home to check for any changes.
Step one: Begin by looking in a mirror, facing it with your arms on your hips and your shoulders straight. You should be looking for any dimpling, puckering, bulging skin, redness, soreness, a rash or changes to the nipple.
Step two: Still looking in the mirror, raise both arms above your head and check for the same changes.
Step three: With your arms still above your head, check for any fluid coming from the nipples. This can include milky, yellow or watery fluid, or blood.
Step four: While lying down, use your opposite hand to check each breast. Using a few fingers, keeping them flat and together, go in a small circular motion around your breasts. Make sure you feel the entire breast by going top to bottom in these small circles. It helps to develop a system or pattern to make sure every inch is covered. Use light pressure for the skin and tissue just beneath, medium pressure for the tissue in the middle of your breasts, and firm pressure to feel the tissue at the back, feeling down to your ribcage.
Step five: Feel your breasts while either standing or sitting, using the same small circular motions.
