October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time when pink ribbons remind us of strength, hope and the importance of women’s health. Here in Bermuda, we take pride in looking out for one another. That’s why this month we are urging every woman turning 40, and every family who love her, to take one simple but powerful step: book that first mammogram.

A mammogram is a special kind of X-ray that can find breast cancer years before any symptoms appear. You might feel healthy, have no pain and see no changes — but a mammogram can detect what you can’t feel. Finding cancer early makes all the difference. It means easier treatment, less invasive care and, most importantly, a much greater chance of survival.

A major Swedish study published this year in The BMJ followed nearly 400,000 women over 25 years. Its findings are clear and sobering: women who skipped their first mammogram were far less likely to attend future screenings. When cancer was later found, it was more advanced and more dangerous. Those who missed that first appointment were 40 per cent more likely to die from breast cancer than women who went.

For Bermuda, the message is the same: your first mammogram at age 40 is one of the most important steps you can take for your health. It sets the pattern for a lifetime of screening and vigilance. Missing it, even once, raises the risk of facing a diagnosis when it is too late for simpler treatment.

We know that booking that first appointment can feel intimidating. Some women worry it will hurt, that they don’t have time or that they’re too young to worry about cancer. Others are simply scared of what they may find. But breast cancer can grow quietly, with no lump, pain or sign. A few minutes of discomfort could save decades of life.

At the Bermuda Hospitals Board, we see this truth every day. We meet women whose cancers were caught early, when treatment was swift and successful — and we meet others who wish they had come in sooner. Every story reminds us why early detection is so powerful.

In a community as close-knit as ours, breast cancer does not affect only one woman; it touches her entire circle. It’s her mother, daughter, best friend or co-worker. When one woman has a diagnosis, her whole network feels it. That’s why early detection is not just a personal choice; it’s a community effort.

So this October, let’s lift one another up.

• Families: remind your loved ones to schedule that first mammogram

• Friends: go together, make it a shared moment of support

• Churches, community groups and workplaces: help spread the word and encourage the women around you

If you are turning 40 — or if you have been delaying your first screening — please make the call today. The BHB Mammography Department is here to help you every step of the way, with compassionate care and experienced staff who understand your concerns.

Your first mammogram isn’t just a medical test; it’s an act of love. For yourself, for your family and for the community that depends on you.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s make early detection our shared goal. Because in Bermuda, when one woman takes care of her health, we all grow stronger.

• Carla Cann is mammography manager at the Bermuda Hospitals Board