Photo and article courtesy of Jamestown Regional Medical Center
By Briana Mayhair
JAMESTOWN, N.D. (JRMC) – A special No Excuses event served a dozen individuals who otherwise may have experienced barriers to care.
No Excuses makes it easy to access preventative services like cervical screenings and 3D mammograms. Often, barriers to care include finances, transportation and even time during the work day for appointments. Central Valley Health District and Jamestown Regional Medical Center hosted a special No Excuses on June 15 to give individuals access to the program during the summer.
“We know it’s hard for women to make time for themselves. We also know transportation can be a barrier. If you’ve never had a mammogram or cervical screening, or it’s been a long time, you are definitely the woman we are looking for,” said Robin Iszler, registered nurse and unit administrator at Central Valley Health. “We scheduled this No Excuses for the summer to accommodate women who have more flexibility this time of year. Expect another No Excuses this fall.”
Twelve individuals signed up for June 15 or anytime that worked best with their schedules.
“Individuals can access this care and this program anytime,” said Trisha Jungels, JRMC’s Chief Nursing Officer. “No Excuses is a special day, however, if a person needed accommodations, No Excuses support is available year-round.”
“That support is only possible because of the community,” said Lisa Jackson, JRMC Foundation Director.
“The generosity of R.M. Stoudt and the Running of the Pink event ensures women have access to the very best care and the very best technology available,” Jackson said. “Because of Running of the Pink, JRMC has state-of-the-art equipment not available in other parts of the state.”
JRMC even offers specialty care, close to home. Gynecologist Dr. Gregg McAdoo joined Jamestown Regional Medical Center in 2021. His expertise allows access to specialized care otherwise not available without a 100-mile drive.
“Specialized care and the newest technology mean we can increase the number of women who routinely screen,” Jungels said. “Women deserve the best.”
JRMC Foundation will be purchasing new equipment for loop electrosurgical excision procedures (LEEP) with money raised from this year’s Running of the Pink.
LEEP is used when you have pre-cancerous cells on the surface of the cervix. This new equipment allows Dr. McAdoo to remove pre-cancerous lesions from the cervix tissue in minutes. The electrosurgical system reduces tissue damage and can be performed in the JRMC Clinic versus in the operating room. Over 90% of patients are cured in a single treatment.
WHO SHOULD HAVE A 3D MAMMOGRAM?
No Excuses offers 3D mammograms, which are unique to some communities. The 3D image gives a clearer and more accurate picture of the breast – meaning doctors can detect cancer faster. Most women ages 40 and older should have a mammogram each year.
WHO SHOULD HAVE A PAP TEST?
Cervical screenings, also called pap smears, check the health of a woman’s cervix to prevent cancer. Women ages 21 and older should have a cervical screening every three to five years, depending on their age and the recommendation of their provider.