Why Your Health Can’t Wait.

Every October, pink ribbons show up in windows, on storefronts, and in school hallways across the Bronx. Awareness matters, but awareness without action doesn’t save lives. This month, we’re asking our neighbors to do one thing: get screened and stay on schedule.

Why Screening Matters

Breast cancer is still a major health threat. It is the most common cancer after skin cancer, with about 321,910 diagnoses and nearly 42,140 deaths each year. The good news is that cancers caught early are far more treatable. A screening mammogram can find changes long before you could feel anything.

Equity is part of this conversation, too. Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than White women and face a higher risk of aggressive breast cancers at every age. In a borough as diverse as ours, that is exactly why access to screening can’t be optional.

When Should You Start?

Guidance has shifted in recent years. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that women at average risk get a mammogram every other year beginning at age 40. The American Cancer Society says women at average risk should have the chance to begin yearly screening at 40, with regular screening for everyone starting at 45.

Different organizations, slightly different schedules. The best schedule for you depends on your age, family history, and personal risk factors, so talk with your provider about what makes sense for you.

Let’s Bust Some Myths

Myth: “I have no family history, so I’m not at risk.”
Most people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. Being a woman and getting older are the biggest risk factors.

Myth: “If I felt a problem, I’d know.”
Not always. Early breast cancer often has no symptoms. Screening exists to catch what you can’t feel.

Myth: “I’m too young to worry.”
Screening guidelines now begin at 40 for average-risk women. If you have a strong family history, your provider may recommend starting even sooner.

Myth: “Mammograms are too painful, or the radiation is dangerous.”
A mammogram takes just a few minutes. You may feel pressure, but it’s brief, and the radiation dose is very low. The benefit of catching cancer early far outweighs the risk.

Myth: “I don’t have insurance, or I’m worried about my immigration status.”
This one matters deeply to us. At BCHN, we work to ensure that everyone can access quality health services, regardless of race, gender, income, or immigration status. Fear and cost should never be the reason someone skips a screening.

Myth: “A normal result means I’m done.”
A clear result is great news, but screening works best as a habit. Staying on schedule is what gives you the best chance of catching changes early. Choose a facility that works for you year after year, so your records are kept and housed in one place and comparison of results are made seamlessly.

Care That Meets You Where You Are

As a Federally Qualified Health Center, BCHN was built on a simple belief: health care is for everyone. We offer primary care, dental care, behavioral health, and preventive health programs designed around the real lives of Bronx families. We know it’s hard to make time for yourself when you’re juggling work, kids, and everything in between. Our teams are here to help you find a path that fits.

Your Next Step

Don’t wait for October to end. If you’re due for a screening, or aren’t sure whether you are, now is the time:

• Check your calendar. When was your last mammogram?
• Talk to your provider. Ask what screening schedule is right for you.
• Share this reminder. Send this reminder to a sister, a friend, a coworker, or your mother.
• Encourage someone. Sometimes the nudge from a loved one is what gets us through the door.

Screening is an act of care for yourself and for the people who depend on you. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s turn awareness into action.

Your health matters. Your community is here for you.