“I’m lifted out of this world and am on a different level completely, gliding across the floor, surrounded by music,” she said.

The Chudleigh woman was diagnosed with breast cancer in May last year. She had surgery in June, followed by nine months of intensive chemotherapy.

“That was harsh. I lost my hair within two weeks.”

RELATED: Open DanceSport Championship extended to 2021

But a week didn’t go by when Ms Motton didn’t dance.

She even competed at the 2016 Tasmanian Open DanceSport Championship at the Launceston Silverdome during chemo, and hopes to compete in this year’s championship next month.

“I was determined to dance my way through it. I was sick, weak and my head didn’t work at times, but the dancing helped me through it. Dancing is one of the things that keeps me alive.”

Originally from England, Ms Motton moved to Australia when she was 17. She had danced when she was in England, but hadn’t danced in more than 40 years when she took the hobby back up in Launceston.

“My husband passed away four years ago. I could have easily hibernated, but I didn’t, and dancing brought me back into the land of the living.

“I loved being able to dance again – you never lose your love of it, but it took a lot of courage. It wasn’t very long though before that passion took hold of my heart again and I wanted more.”

She practices ballroom, Latin and New Vogue at Palmer’s Dance Studio.

The annual DanceSport Championship is just around the corner again, and event organiser Andrew Palmer said this year would be the “biggest yet”.

“The Silverdome becomes a ballroom and we have a brand new layout with a new stage, new lighting and sound,” he said. “It will be a brand new feeling.”

Now 61, Ms Motton is encouraging people going through treatment to find a passion.

“It can be hard to get out the door sometimes but it’s better to do something and push your way through. Exercise helps you feel better.

“I always say it’s like coming home to my family, walking through the doors of the studio.”