Yellowknife (Nov 10/04) - Ten years ago, a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the NWT walked out of the doctor's office with no information.

"When you're diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, you get a buzz in your head and you can't hear," said Ruby Trudel, vice-chair of the NWT Breast Health/Breast Cancer Action Group and a breast cancer survivor.

"If you don't get some information to take with you, you don't remember anything," the doctor said.

The Breast Health/Breast Cancer Action Group was started in 1992 to help change things for NWT women affected by the disease. It was supported by the Status of Women Council of the NWT.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in NWT women, accounting for 28 per cent of diagnoses, according to a 2003 report from the Department of Health and Social Services.

The action group has created education resources specifically designed for Northern women. A pamphlet in plain language with plenty of pictures explains how to do a breast self-exam to look for lumps.

A few years ago, the World Health Organization translated it into Siswati for use in Swaziland.

Women who've been diagnosed with breast cancer also now receive an education box, courtesy of the action group.

It contains a calender for keeping track of appointments, a book about living with breast cancer, pamphlets on reading a pathology report, support groups available in the NWT and information for the woman's family. As well, the box contains a CD with messages of hope from four Northern breast cancer survivors.

"When she walks out of the office, she has access to comprehensive and reliable information," said Trudel.

The action group has recently moved out from under the wing of the Status of Women Council.

"We had their guidance and their wisdom and their contacts," said Trudel. "Without them we would never have been able to get started."

The council provided administrative support for the action group -- managing money and providing office space.

The Breast Health/Breast Cancer Action Group now has its own board of directors and office.

In appreciation of the contribution of the women's council, members of the action group presented them with a quilt, handcrafted by Elaine Coumont.