Sportswoman a survivor

Former professional squash coach and avid sportswoman Kim Buttfield was dealt a devastating blow when she was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago.

After returning home to Albany from a strenuous bike ride in France, Buttfield's world turned upside down when she discovered a lump in her breast.

"I had just come off a 1000km bike ride in France and I was just buzzing," she said.

"So from being on a mega high and just about to start eight months long service leave - and I had all these wonderful things planned - to you've got cancer and you're on a waiting list to go into hospital."

Buttfield, who in her peak, was 13th nationally in women's squash, said it was a surreal and challenging experience and one she had never expected.

"How does it happen to Kim Buttfield?" she said.

"I am known as Ms Fit and Healthy, Ms Active; I have gotten lots of people involved in sports and recreation, so how does it happen to people like me? It is one of those freak things but it is turning around and saying 'what can you do to make sure you give yourself the best chance?'.

"Being fit and active I'm sure has helped me get through a lot of those things."

Buttfield, who underwent a double mastectomy and breast reconstructions said she resumed exercise as soon as she was able.

"I think for my specialists they actually realised there is a mental component to it as well, that if they don't let me exercise it's not that good for my mental health," she said.

"Doing treatment is pretty hard to get yourself out if bed and doing some of those things when you're feeling crappy, but if you force yourself through, most of the time it is actually worth it."