Cape Dorset (Jul 03/06) - Cancer isn't always a killer.

Indigo Sweetwater initially wrestled with anger, fear and sadness upon hearing her diagnosis of breast cancer last summer.

But then she quickly changed her attitude.

Indigo Sweetwater and her partner, David Culver, are able to laugh now that her cancer scare is behind them. Through it all, Indigo had David's support as well as that of the rest of her family and the many friends she has made over the years. The Cape Dorset woman wants to ensure other women also have somewhere to turn while coming to terms with their illnesses. - photo courtesy of Indigo Sweetwater

"Basically I licked my wounds and came out fighting," she said.

Having caught the insidious disease in its early stages, and having remained positive throughout the ordeal, Sweetwater completed her radiation therapy in June.

"As far as I'm concerned it was a nasty hitchhiker and it's gone," she said. "I've told everyone I have breast cancer and I'm still here. I'm fine and I'm going to live.... Early detection is the key."

That's the important message she wants others to understand. To spread the word, she held a breast cancer awareness night called "Let's Spend the Night Together." She and other women gathered in Cape Dorset, where she is supervisor of health services, to watch educational videos, discuss self-breast examinations and form a support network.

"It was very, very moving," said Sweetwater, a nurse who has served in several Northern communities over her 30-year career.

A similar support network for cancer victims has been in place through the Qulliit Status of Women Council since 2001. Nine women from across the territory take part in monthly tele-conferences to exchange information, discuss their pain and challenges and offer each other emotional support, according to Taravat Ostovar, co-ordinator for the women with cancer project.

The number of participants has been growing slowly, but the group is eager to reach out to others, said Ostovar. Ideally, she said, there will be a support group in each community someday.

"It's kind of empowering the survivors," she said.

Although there's no mammography machine in Nunavut - making Ottawa the most common place for screening and treatment - the territorial government is eyeing the possibility of making mammograms available in Nunavut next year.

Travelling to a southern institution for a wave of treatment can be intimidating even for someone with three decades of clinical experience and command of medical terminology, Sweetwater acknowledged. She wonders how some Nunavummiut cope, not having such a background.

But she said she has personally experienced how caring local residents can be, as they were when she was fighting cancer.

"The people here in Cape Dorset are just amazing. They're friendly and kind and loving," said Sweetwater.