Coronation Street star Tracy Shaw says her breast cancer is inoperable until her tumours shrink as she shares teary update after an ultrasound

Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw fought back tears as she revealed her breast cancer is currently inoperable until her tumors shrink.

The 52-year-old former soap star, who candidly shared insight into her journey since diagnosis, posted the devastating update on Instagram on Thursday.

Tracy shared the video after going for an ultrasound to check on her current condition and shared her hopes that chemotherapy could shrink the lumps.

However, during the tear-jerking clip, Tracy revealed that while the bumps have changed in shape from round to oval, they are not getting any smaller.

Speaking to the camera, the actor said, “Good morning everyone.” As I told you all, I had an ultrasound today to find out if the lesions had shrunk.

‘I also needed to check the swelling in the right breast which I found in the other breast.

Tracy is best known for her role as Coronation Street character Maxine Peacock

‘The good news is that the swelling, I mean there’s quite a lot actually, they’re all cysts, so that’s good news and the lesions on my left breast… er…’

Tracy continued: ‘My expectations were that, given what I had experienced personally and the effects of chemotherapy…

‘I thought they would shrink but they actually went from circular to oval but they didn’t actually shrink in size. I don’t know what to expect.

‘I guess I’m just waiting for some results of what I’m feeling, some of the results of what the body has had to endure!’

In May, Tracy broke down in tears in an emotional video in which she revealed to her followers that she would begin chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Tracy was diagnosed with the disease a month ago and shared in her video that she would start chemotherapy the following week.

In a video posted on Instagram, Tracy shared the toll her cancer diagnosis has taken on her, admitting that ‘I can’t handle this anymore.’

She played Maxine Peacock in Corrie from 1995 to 2003, before she was sensationally murdered by serial killer Richard Hillman.

In the video, Tracy said: ‘I’m just going to be myself and my truth is… by the way, I shaved my head, I just wore a scarf because I didn’t do anything with it and I’m going to hospital.

‘Every morning I wake up and I know I have to go to hospital and get more news which has been going on for a long time, that unknown… I just think ‘I can’t keep this up any longer’ but I haven’t even started my journey.

In May, Tracy broke down in tears in an emotional video in which she revealed to her followers that she would be starting chemotherapy for breast cancer

‘I had a good cry. Later today, I will go in and meet other women who will start treatment and chemotherapy with me.

‘I will also learn its history. 50 percent of me want to go. I want to know that it was minimized and the cancer was fought.

‘When I wake up and my head hurts really bad or I feel another twinge in my other breast, I’m like, ‘Oh, it’s moving!’ I think.

‘All forms of cancer suck, most of the time I move on with my life but I think that’s probably what we’re doing.

‘But the truth is, when you wake up in the morning you think, ‘It’s not gone.’ It’s not like the addictions I’ve been free of by God’s grace. It looks like we have a long road or a mountain ahead of us.’

In the caption of her post, Tracy revealed that she had been told she would start chemotherapy ‘next week’.

He wrote: ‘Moments happen. After shooting this, I spent the morning in the chemo ward doing tests.

‘Thank you to all NHS staff. No other women, mostly men, have sex differences in cancer.

‘We will begin our chemotherapy journeys at the same time. Next week. Love and peace to everyone on their cancer journey.’

The actor, who was diagnosed with the disease in April, shared in his video that he would start chemotherapy the following week.

Days after posting the clip, Tracy revealed that she had cut off most of her hair to prepare herself for hair loss, one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy.

Days after posting the clip, Tracy revealed that she had cut off most of her hair to prepare herself for hair loss, one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy.

Tracy revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer last month, telling her followers: ‘My breast cancer diagnosis. So the journey begins…

‘Love to everyone going through this journey, I look forward to hearing from you all, especially you amazing survivors.’

He shared that doctors told him he would need chemotherapy after tests revealed he had HER2 in his cells.

HER2 is a protein that promotes cancer cell growth and is found in more aggressive forms of the disease.

The actress added that after a course of chemotherapy, she hopes to have surgery to remove the masses and lymph nodes so more tests can be done, which could lead to more surgery before radiotherapy.

In the video, Tracy told fans that she was on a 12-step program, a program that aims to support recovery, having “recovered from many addictions.” She continued: ‘Anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism, drug addiction, co-dependency, love addiction, you name it, I’ve been addicted to it and recovered from it.’

Tracy also thanked fans for sending concerned messages after she stepped back from social media for Lent.

She said: ‘Thank you for messaging me to check how I’m doing as I haven’t been on Instagram. That’s because during Lent I stopped scrolling, quit social media, and put down my phone.

‘I’ve been away from the technology that has helped me cope with this news.’

Fans wrote: ‘Sending you love Tracy,’ ‘Such a brave and wonderful post. Sending you positive energy and love’ and ‘Thinking of you, I survived breast cancer two years ago. Sending my best wishes x.’

The star concluded the video with the following words: ‘I thank you all, I thank the Royal Berkshire Hospital and everyone who helped get to this point. I’ll keep you informed about this journey.’

Tracy portrayed the character Maxine in 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 McDonald.

Tracy was awarded the title of Rear of the Year, a year after her first appearance on the show.

Maxine married butcher Ashley Peacock, played by Steven Arnold.

Although he was married to Ashley, he also had a child with the local doctor.

Maxine died when she was brutally murdered by Richard Hillman. He was hit with a crowbar after returning home from the bar.

Tracy also began her pop career in 1998, releasing two singles: Ridin’ High and a cover of Lonnie Gordon’s Happenin’ All Over Again.

After leaving the soap, he played smaller roles in ITV soaps. He spent most of his time in the theatre.