Hawaii Pacific Health is pushing women to start mammograms at 40 and to add a new risk questionnaire, which is good news for women who want to catch cancer early but a reminder that screening alone can miss it.

• Average-risk women should begin yearly mammograms at 40, with screening sites across Oahu and a new Kapolei location opening in 2027.
• A new risk assessment asks about periods, menopause, and family history of breast and ovarian cancer, so knowing your family's history matters before you go in.
• Women found to have a one-in-five lifetime risk get extra care: breast MRI or ultrasound, preventive medication, genetic testing, and check-ins every six to twelve months.
• Screening is not foolproof — Karen Story, who runs cancer services at Hawaii Pacific Health, was diagnosed at 43 after finding a lump herself despite being current on her mammograms.
• Common reasons for skipping a mammogram are being too busy, fear of pain, and worry about radiation, though the dose is comparable to a round-trip flight across the country.

Outlook: Expect more pressure during October's awareness month to book screenings and to gather family health history, with Hawaii adding more screening sites over the next year.