Junel DeJarnett: SMC's mammography technologist

One of the biggest reasons why women over the age of 40 skip their yearly mammogram is that there isn’t a location that is convenient enough for them to get to, or that it only open during certain, inconvenient times of the day.

In Shoshone County, Junel DeJarnett, the mammography technologist at Shoshone Medical Center is all about making sure women (and men) are aware of how SMC has broken down that barrier.

DeJarnett originally pursued a job as an X-Ray tech, but took some classes and cross trained into mammography.

“It kind of just fell into my lap. I really didn’t know much about it,” DeJarnett said. “The statistics around here where women aren’t going and getting those yearly checks and preventative things are high compared to the rest of the country. So for me, it became about finding ways to show these women why these things are helpful and important.”

In a study conducted in 2010, only 63 percent of eligible, Idaho women were screened, making Idaho the lowest screened state in the country.

“We see a lot of patients who have relocated from other states who tell us they have been screened regularly, which shows how those other states are putting a higher emphasis on keeping their citizens informed,” DeJarnett said. “So, like I said, this has become about how we are going to reach the local population and let them know this is here for them.”

What DeJarnett does is with these yearly exams is track how the body and tissues are changing, which allows them to recognize what is normal and what is not.

“When we can catch something that is abnormal, like cancer, we can easily treat it in the early stages,” DeJarnett said. “However, by the time something like a lump or anything that is noticeable by the patient or they start having symptoms, it is often a lot more difficult to treat.”

Educating the local population on why they do these screens has become the primary mission, but also debunking some of the age old rumors that circulate about mammograms that seem to hold people back.

“It isn’t as painful as people would like to make you think,” DeJarnett said. “I also try to make it as comfortable as possible to ease any uncomfortableness that may happen. It certainly isn’t fantastic, not something you want to do every day, but it isn’t that bad.”

There is also the fear of not getting any sort of explanation on what the results of the screening are.

Now, as a technologist, DeJarnett can’t diagnose patients, but she can answer a lot of questions that will help people understand the process and what is specifically being looked for.

“We try to get people in and out of here as quickly as they need,” DeJarnett said. “But we also make sure to take the time to explain the process, answer questions, and give any information that the patient is curious about.”

It really all boils down to the idea of making it as easy for patients as possible to stay current on their screenings.

“We are trying to make sure we remove as many of the barriers that keep women from getting checked as possible,” DeJarnett said.

To schedule an appointment for a screening at Shoshone Medical Center call SMC at (208) 784-1221.