FORMER CORONATION STREET STAR TRACY SHAW BREAKS DOWN AS SHE FACES BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

Former Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw has opened up about the emotional toll of her breast cancer diagnosis, admitting that she has struggled with fear and anxiety as she prepares for treatment.

The actress, best known for playing Maxine Peacock on the long-running ITV soap, revealed her diagnosis in April 2026 after discovering a lump in her breast.

Since then, Shaw has regularly shared updates about her treatment with her followers, giving an emotional insight into the uncertainty surrounding her illness.

In one particularly emotional video, Shaw broke down as she spoke about the fear of repeatedly going to hospital and receiving more difficult news.

“Each morning I wake up and know that I have to go into hospital and receive more news,” she said, describing the experience as an overwhelming period of uncertainty.

At one point, she became tearful and admitted: “I can’t go through with this anymore,” even though, as she acknowledged, her treatment journey had only just begun.

Shaw later underwent chemotherapy and has continued documenting the experience, including the physical and emotional challenges that have accompanied treatment.

She also made the decision to cut and donate her hair to the Little Princess Trust before chemotherapy caused her hair to fall out.

The charity confirmed that Shaw donated her hair before starting treatment, with the hair intended to help create wigs for children and young people affected by cancer.

“Another step on this breast cancer journey,” Shaw wrote alongside footage of her haircut.

The actress has also spoken about how every new symptom can trigger fear during the treatment process.

In July, Shaw revealed that surgery was not yet possible because her tumours had not shrunk enough. She said doctors were monitoring the response to chemotherapy and that further treatment was necessary before surgery could be considered.

Her treatment has not always gone smoothly.

In June, Shaw was admitted to hospital after developing a high temperature, something she said was particularly frightening because of the infection risks associated with treatment.

More recently, she revealed another upsetting setback after missing a hospital appointment because she could not find a parking space.

Shaw said she had arrived early at the Royal Berkshire Hospital but spent around 45 minutes driving around the car park without finding a space. She later described the anxiety caused by missing the appointment as “horrendous.”

Despite the setbacks, Shaw has continued to speak openly about her experience and encourage others facing cancer.

The actress played Maxine Peacock on Coronation Street from 1995 until 2003, becoming a familiar face to millions of viewers. Her character was later killed off in a storyline involving serial killer Richard Hillman.

Now, away from the soap screen, Shaw is facing a very different chapter of her life — one she has chosen to share publicly in the hope that her honesty may help others going through similar experiences.

As she continues chemotherapy and waits to see how her tumours respond to treatment, Shaw has acknowledged just how difficult the road ahead can feel.

But through tears, hospital visits and major changes to her everyday life, the former soap star continues to document her journey one step at a time.