Beverley Callard has shared an emotional new update on her cancer battle, revealing that cancer cells were found in one of her lymph nodes after surgery.
The 69-year-old actress, beloved by soap fans for her role as Liz McDonald in Coronation Street, announced earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then, she has undergone an operation to remove lymph nodes as doctors tried to establish whether the disease had spread.
Now, Beverley has told fans that while the surgery itself was successful and doctors were able to remove the cancer, there is still fresh concern after tests showed signs of cancer in the first lymph node.
Opening up in a heartfelt Instagram update, Beverley explained that her consultant broke it down in simple terms, saying the lymph nodes were “like a staircase” and that if cancer is present there, it can begin to “climb up the stairs”.
She said: “They’re pleased with how the surgery went. And they also have two or three lymph nodes. And this is how she explained it to me. The lymph nodes are like a staircase. And if cancer is in the lymph nodes, it sort of tends to climb up the stairs.”
Beverley went on to reveal that doctors removed three lymph nodes, and while cancer was found in the first one, there was no trace of it in the second and third. She said that was at least some relief, adding: “That’s oversimplifying it, but just to help explain. And they took three, and the cancer is in the first lymph node. It’s not in the second two and three. So it is there, but it’s only small.”
The actress also revealed that the sample will now be sent to America so specialists can determine how aggressive the cancer is. The result is expected within the next two weeks and will decide the next stage of her treatment.
If the cancer is found to be aggressive, Beverley will have chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. If not, she will move straight to radiotherapy as first planned.
Although there was some comfort in hearing the surgery had gone well, Beverley admitted the uncertainty is taking an emotional toll. She said: “So in one way it was kind of good news that the surgeries worked well which I’m really pleased about but because it’s in the lymph nodes it’s still a worry and still a waiting time which is an absolute pain but there we go.”
Her heartbreaking update prompted an outpouring of support from fans, with many rallying around the star as she faces another anxious wait. One supporter told her: “You are a warrior woman. Keep positive and take care. Much love.” Another wrote: “So much waiting Liz. Thinking of you – you are amazing.” A third added: “Sending love to you. The waiting game is so awful. Wishing you the best.”
