Beverley Callard has revealed she has been referred to a stomach specialist for further tests following a hospital visit during her ongoing breast cancer treatment. The 69-year-old actress, best known for playing Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, shared the news with her followers on Instagram on Tuesday after doctors told her that "something's not quite right."
Speaking after her appointment, Callard explained that her medical team in Ireland wants her to undergo additional scans and see a gastroenterologist. She said her surgeon warned that she is overdoing her routine and must prioritize rest, though she admitted struggling to follow the advice.
Callard told fans that her last surgeon was based in England, while her current doctor is based in Ireland. She recalled how her doctor in Ireland advised her to "mind yourself," noting to her followers that "they say that in Ireland!" She added that her surgeon told her she has "got to rest a bit more, which I know," but explained that resting presents its own mental challenges.
Detailing her daily struggle, the soap star admitted that she tends to "torture" herself when attempting to relax. "It's really hard because I just can't because if I lay down because I'm tired, my mind tortures... I torture myself," Callard said. "So it's quite hard." However, she reassured fans about her mental well-being, stating: "I'm doing okay, I'm not going into the depths of despair or depressed as such. I'm not there at all."
Callard acknowledged her own impatience during her recovery process. "But it's just I think, 'Oh, when will I be better?' I'm not a very patient person!" she said. She added that seeing other patients at the hospital put her situation into perspective. "But I was there with dozens of women who are all going through the same thing and many of them far worse," she explained. "So, really, I thank my lucky stars."
The actress also highlighted the impact of the illness on her family, expressing gratitude for support from members of the public. "People come up and say hello and ask how Jon how he's doing, because for partners it's really hard as well," Callard said, referencing her husband Jon, before promising to keep her followers updated on her progress.
Returning to acting during treatment
Callard joined the cast of Ireland's RTÉ soap opera Fair City in February, taking on the role of Lily, the quirky and unpredictable long-lost mother of Carrigstown resident Gwen. However, that same month, just as she was about to step onto the set, she received a phone call from her doctor revealing that she had breast cancer. She immediately returned to the UK to undergo surgery and treatment.
Addressing her decision to return to the set of Fair City despite friends and well-wishers advising her to rest at home, Callard explained that staying idle was harder for her emotionally. "If you are, you just sit and feel sorry for yourself," she said. "Believe me, I've done that as well, as we all do. But I need my mind to be occupied. If I've got lines to learn, it really helps. And believe me, I've had loads to learn, so it's been good."
Regarding her current recovery timeline, Callard explained that she is still awaiting key medical feedback. "I don't know the actual prognosis yet, I see my oncologist again in two weeks time. So I'll know more then, but I'm doing well," she said. Callard first publicly spoke about her diagnosis earlier this year during an appearance on Ireland's RTÉ Late Late Show, where she revealed she was having her lymph nodes removed as a precautionary measure to prevent the cancer from spreading.
Understanding breast cancer facts and treatments
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, affecting more than two million women each year. In the UK, more than 55,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, claiming the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, approximately 266,000 women are diagnosed each year, with 40,000 deaths attributed to the disease.
The disease originates from a cancerous cell that develops in the lining of a breast duct or lobule when genetic alterations cause the cell to multiply out of control. When cancer cells spread beyond the original site into surrounding tissue, it is classified as invasive breast cancer. Conversely, carcinoma in situ describes cases where cancer cells have not grown beyond the duct or lobule. While most cases occur in individuals over 50, younger women and, rarely, men can also develop breast cancer.
Cancer stages range from Stage 1 (earliest) to Stage 4 (indicating spread to other body parts). Cancerous cells are also graded from low (slow-growing) to high (fast-growing), with high-grade cases carrying a higher likelihood of returning after initial treatment. The most common early symptom is a painless breast lump, though most lumps are benign fluid-filled cysts. The primary site of spread is typically the armpit lymph nodes, causing localized swelling.
Diagnosis, options and support
Diagnosis involves physical examinations, mammograms, and tissue biopsies examined under a microscope. If breast cancer is confirmed, additional tests such as blood tests, chest X-rays, or liver ultrasound scans assess whether the disease has spread. Treatment plans frequently combine surgery (breast-conserving surgery or full mastectomy depending on tumour size), radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapies that block oestrogen-stimulated cell growth.
Treatment outlook is highest when cancer is diagnosed at an early stage. Routine mammography screening is offered to women aged 50 to 71 in the UK to detect tumours early. For additional information, support is available at breastcancernow.org or by calling the free helpline on 0808 800 6000.
