Beverley Callard, the 68-year-old Coronation Street icon known for playing Liz McDonald, undergoes surgery today to remove two lymph nodes as part of her breast cancer treatment.
She received her diagnosis shortly after relocating to Dublin for a new role as Lily, the long-lost mother of Gwen on the Irish soap opera Fair City. The cancer was detected early, but she requires surgery and radiotherapy in the UK.
Live Update from the Hospital
From Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Beverley shared a video with her Instagram followers moments before the procedure. “Update for anyone else who is about to go through it,” she said. “I’m at the hospital, it’s the big day which I’m glad about. I’m ready, I’m strong, I feel fine. Jon’s had to go home, they sent him home.”
She continued: “There’s a few other ladies here with me, we’ve had a chat. They’ve been in and drawn all over me and then I have to go for an injection in an hour and then the anaesthetist came in, Peter. I’m feeling OK.”
Beverley addressed common concerns: “Sometimes, you get these self-indulgent feelings and vanity but I’m not alone. This other lady said she’s the same. I keep thinking, will I be lopsided? What will I wear? But I’m really good, I’m really strong and I’ll let you know how it goes.”
Preliminary Hospital Visit
The day before, Beverley posted another update: “Another update to let you all know what is going on. I went to the hospital this morning and they wanted to talk to me about the lymph nodes and lymph glands.”
“They are pretty sure that it is not in the lymph nodes, but they are going to take two out on Friday when I have the operation to make sure,” she explained. “It’s quite a big operation I’m having, but I trust them completely.”
She praised the NHS staff: “I have to tell you about the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital all NHS, obviously and they are truly amazing. They spent ages with me and with every other patient as well.”
Beverley noted the support from fellow patients: “And what is great is you can sit there chatting to other people who are going through what you are going through and obviously, some of them are in a far worse position than me. So I thank my lucky stars.”
She added: “The waiting is the worst bit, I have to tell you. The house is so clean because I can’t stop thinking about things. But I’m feeling strong and positive.”
Career and Recent News
Promotional images for Fair City show Beverley in character, wearing a black leather jacket or a cream ruffled jacket with a denim jumpsuit beside a ‘Welcome to Carrigstown’ sign.
Recently, she clarified her weight loss, stating in a video: “I’ve been working my a**e off my whole life and has been heavily involved in fitness.” She emphasized it resulted from hard work, not weight-loss jabs, and supported others’ choices: “I would not knock anybody for using the jabs and urged people to do what they need to do.”
Understanding Breast Cancer
Breast cancer ranks among the world’s most common cancers, affecting over two million women annually. In the UK, more than 55,000 new cases emerge each year, claiming 11,500 lives. In the US, it impacts 266,000 women yearly, with 40,000 fatalities.
It originates from a cancerous cell in the breast’s duct or lobule lining. ‘Invasive’ cancer spreads to surrounding tissue; ‘carcinoma in situ’ remains contained. Most cases occur after age 50, though younger women and men can develop it rarely.
Staging ranges from 1 (early) to 4 (metastasized). Grades indicate growth speed: low (slow) to high (fast, more recurrence-prone).
Risk factors include genetics, though causes involve gene alterations leading to uncontrolled cell growth.
Symptoms often start with a painless breast lump (usually benign cyst) or armpit swelling from lymph node spread.
Diagnosis involves exams, mammograms, biopsies, and scans like ultrasounds or X-rays.
Treatments combine surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy for oestrogen-sensitive cancers.
Early detection via mammography improves outcomes significantly. For support, visit breastcancernow.org or call 0808 800 6000.
