In 2024, the LPGA pro Kim Kaufman noticed a dimple on her breast, which changed her life forever. After a routine wellness exam and subsequent ultrasound, then 33, Kaufman was diagnosed with breast cancer. At 4 inches, the tumor was an invasive ductal carcinoma, with Grade 2 cancer in a lymph node. Impacting her career, the diagnosis delayed her LPGA status. Now, after undergoing months of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, the LPGA pro is ready to talk about the health scare.

Speaking at the Monday Q School podcast, Kim Kaufman revealed that she is still recovering from cancer. In fact, she underwent a scan just a week ago, and she is still awaiting the results. While the “scan anxiety” is adding to the mental battles of Kaufman, the LPGA pro doesn’t flinch as she tells fans of the day her results returned cancer-positive. She received the confirmation through a phone call on a Saturday morning, changing everything.

Following that, she booked an appointment with her surgeon, discussing treatment options.

“Obviously your whole world changes. It took, you know, um that Tuesday I met with a surgeon for about an hour and a half and I had so many questions,” Kaufman shared her initial shock and the way that incident shaped her forever.

The life Kaufman had built before the breast cancer crumbled before her eyes. Hot on her heels at the Epson Tour at the beginning of 2024, Kaufman was as close as it gets to gaining a full LPGA status. However, the severity of the cancer forced the 33-year-old to withdraw from the final stage of the LPGA Q-School, pausing her golfing career. However, the health crisis not only affected her career but also seeped into her daily life, affecting her physically and emotionally.

“The treatment process introduced significant changes to my daily routine. I underwent chemotherapy, which required adjustments to my schedule and physical well-being. Additionally, the emotional toll of the diagnosis and treatment necessitated a shift in my mental approach to daily activities,” Kaufman shared on the podcast.

During her treatment, Kaufman’s usual training and practice routine came to a halt. She couldn’t practice her swing or maintain her regular workout regimen. Even simple daily tasks required extra energy and planning, forcing her to adapt both physically and mentally. Kaufman might not have looked like a sick person to the outsiders, but inside, she was a chemo patient struggling to keep herself together. Small acts of kindness from her family and friends, like cleaning the house or leaving her treats, became an emotional anchor for the LPGA pro.

Besides the chemotherapy, Kaufman underwent 6 and a half weeks of radiation treatment. Moreover, she also had a lumpectomy. That revealed that the LPGA pro carried a genetic mutation, further complicating her treatment. The evolving diagnosis and the treatment were an extremely overwhelming process. However, her close friend and retired LPGA pro, Angela Stanford, whose mother had died of cancer just two years ago. The overlapping stories added to Stanford’s concerns, who took care of Kaufman’s house and restocked the shelves while the latter was away for her lumpectomy.

Moreover, the support from her fans and the golf community gave Kaufman the strength to fight through her cancer battles. The standout experience, however, was definitely spending time with other cancer survivors, giving her hope. Moreover, her fellow Epson Tour golfers sent her gifts and uplifting messages through Kaufman’s darkest chapter of life.

“I also found strength in connecting with other cancer survivors, sharing experiences and coping strategies,” shared Kaufman.

While the LPGA pro made a remarkable return to professional golf at the Green County Behavioral Health Services Real Okie Championship in July, she is still in recovery. Kaufman has a double mastectomy scheduled for October this year. Meanwhile, Kaufman continues to undergo routine check-ups, blood tests, and scans.

Reflecting on her experience with the disease, Kaufman added, “I don’t think you ever fully get used to it. Cancer is an evolving diagnosis. You can think you’re good, and then one scan or one blood test comes back and it’s not. So you try to manage it and live each day, but yes, it’s always in the back of your mind at times.”

However, this experience has turned from a personal nightmare to a drive for a social cause, which Kaufman leads

Kim Kaufman’s journey from personal struggles to breast cancer advocacy

Kim Kaufman has experienced the pain, the agony, and the battles of breast cancer forefront. That makes her emotionally attached to the cause of spreading awareness about the health scares to other girls. Kaufman believes in early diagnosis and regular screenings, especially among younger women who believe they might not get breast cancer. With over 27,000 new cases in women under 45 in the US in 2022, breast cancer is a looming issue. And Kaufman wishes to use her platform to spread awareness of the cause.

The Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship in Milford spotlighted cancer awareness and preventive health for EPSON Tour players. The initiative provided free screenings, including breast and skin exams, as well as tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose. Led by healthcare professionals like Dr. Valerie Brutus and supported by Kim Kaufman, the effort aimed to educate young athletes and the community about the importance of early detection and regular checkups.

“The goal is to make all of these girls specially aware, who are young and think that it can’t happen to them but it obviously can,” Kaufman shared.

In addition to Kim Kaufman, other LPGA professionals have also faced breast cancer. Notably, Heather Farr, a rising LPGA star in the early 1990s, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 24 and tragically passed away from the disease. Hall of Fame LPGA players such as Mickey Wright and Judy Rankin have also been diagnosed with breast cancer, highlighting how this disease has affected multiple prominent players in the women’s golf community.

Even on the PGA Tour’s side, Stewart Cink’s wife, Lisa Cink, successfully fought advanced-stage breast cancer, and Ryan Palmer’s wife Jennifer underwent treatment for invasive ductal carcinoma. Phil Mickelson’s wife, Amy Mickelson, also battled breast cancer, along with Phil’s mother, and both survived the disease.

These accounts only highlight the importance of not only the awarenss of the disease but also Kaufman’s efforts. Demonstrating how she uses her own struggles to help and inspire others. Fans and the golfing world expect nothing but a speedy recovery for Kaufman, sending her prayers.