• Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
• See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source

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

The former soap star, 52, who has been candidly sharing an insight into her journey since diagnosis, posted the devastating update to Instagram on Thursday.

Tracy shared the video after going for an ultrasound to check on her current condition, sharing her hopes that chemotherapy would have shrunk the lumps.

However, during the teary clip, Tracy explained that while the lumps have changed shape from round to oval, they haven't got any smaller.

Speaking to the camera, she said: 'Good morning, everyone. So as I told you all, I had my ultrasounds today to find out if the lesions had shrunk.

'I also needed to check a lump that I'd found on the other breast, which is on the right breast.

Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw fought back tears as she revealed her breast cancer is currently inoperable until her tumours shrink in size

Tracy is best known for playing Coronation Street character Maxine Peake

'The good news is that the lump, well there's actually quite a lot, are all cysts, so that's good news and the lesions on my left breast…erm…'

Tracy continued: 'Well, my expectations were that judging by what personally I've gone through and what the chemo does...

'I thought they'd shrunk but basically they've gone from being circular to oval but not really shrunk in size. I don't know what I was expecting.

'I think I'm just expecting some results of what I've felt, some results of what the body has had to go through to!'

In May, Tracy broke down in tears in an emotional video as she revealed to her followers she was set to begin chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Tracy was diagnosed with the disease the month before and shared in her video that she would be starting chemotherapy the following week.

In a video posted on Instagram, Tracy shared the toll her cancer diagnosis has had on her, admitting 'I can't go through this anymore.'

She previously played Maxine Peacock on 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 me, and my truth is… by the way, I've not shaved my hair off, I've just put a scarf on just because I've not done anything with it and I'm going to hospital.

'Each morning I wake up and know that I have to go into hospital and receive more news, which has been going on for a long time, that unknown… I just think, ''I can't go through with this anymore,'' but I've not even started my journey'.

In May, Tracy broke down in tears in an emotional video as she revealed to her followers she was set to begin chemotherapy for breast cancer

'I've had a good cry. I'll go in later today and I'll meet some other ladies who will start the treatment with me – chemo.

'And I'll find out the date. 50 per cent of me wants to get going. I want to know that it's being shrunk and the cancer is being dealt with.

'When I wake up and I've got really bad headaches or I can feel another twinge in my other boob, I just think, ''Oh, it's moving!''

'All forms of cancer are awful, most of the time, I get on with life but then I think that's probably what we do.

'But the fact is when you wake up in the morning and you think 'It hasn't gone away.' 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.'

In the caption of her post, Tracy revealed she'd been told she would start her chemotherapy 'next week'.

She wrote: 'Moments happen. After filming this, I spent the morning in the chemo ward having tests.

'Thank you for all NHS staff. No other women, mostly men, cancer doesn't discriminate gender.

'We will start our chemo journeys at the same time. Next week. Love & peace to everyone on their cancer journey.'

The actress was diagnosed with the disease in April and shared in her video that she would be starting chemotherapy the following week

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

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

Tracy revealed last month she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer, telling her followers: '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.'

She shared at the time that doctors told her she would need chemotherapy 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.

The actress added that after a course of chemotherapy, she hoped to have surgery to remove lumps and lymph glands, so more tests can be done, which could lead to further surgery before radiotherapy.

In the video, Tracy told her fans she is on the 12-step programme, a programme aimed to help support recovery, having 'recovered from many addictions'. She continued: 'Anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism, drug addiction, codependency, love addiction, you name it, I have been addicted to it and I have recovered from it.'

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

She said: 'Thank you for messaging me to check how I am because I haven't been present on Instagram. That was due to during Lent I came off scrolling, I came off social media and put my phone down.

'I spent some time away from technology which has helped with dealing with this news.'

Her fans wrote: 'Sending love to you Tracy,' 'What a brave and brilliant post. Sending positive vibes and love to you' and 'Thinking of you, I went through breast cancer two years ago. Sending best wishes x.'

The star finished the video with: 'I thank you all and I thank the Royal Berkshire Hospital and everyone who has helped get to this point. I will keep you posted on this journey.'

Tracy played her character Maxine from 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 MacDonald.

Tracy was awarded the Rear of Year title a year after making her debut on the show.

Maxine married butcher Ashley Peacock, played by Steven Arnold.

She also had a child with the local doctor, despite being married to Ashley.

Maxine died when she was viciously murdered by Richard Hillman. She was hit by a crowbar after she returned home from the pub.

Tracy also launched a pop career in 1998 and released two singles: Ridin' High and a cover of Lonnie Gordon's Happenin' All Over Again.

After she left the soap, she played smaller roles in ITV dramas. She has spent most of her time in the theatre.