Alexa McDonough, former leader of the federal New Democrats, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

It was detected several months ago during an annual mammogram.

The 68-year-old McDonough is scheduled to finish radiation treatment at a Halifax hospital on Monday.

The former N-D-P leader says she feels grateful for the health care she’s received and wants to emphasize the importance of early detection.

She adds she’s feeling well though slightly tired.

The former social worker was leader of the federal New Democrats from October 1995 until January 2003.