Francine’s Friends

Special Events

Carrie Ann Inaba to speak at annual fundraising event
In October, we will celebrate the beginning of the sixth year for Francine's Friends. Helping us mark this special occasion at our Lunch with Friends is effervescent television personality Carrie Ann Inaba. There will be a special meet and greet on October 7th and the luncheon (new this year) will be October 8th at the Coliseum.

Don't miss this opportunity to come together with friends, hear her wonderful presentation, honor the many personal triumphs of Francine's Friends clients and help us raise funds to continue providing mammograms for women on the mobile mammography coach.
Lunch with Friends flyer


New Location
Beginning in May, Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography coach is now at the Fort Wayne Urban League on the third Wednesday of each month. The Urban League is located at 2135 Hanna Street. Appointments (for this location only) should be scheduled through DaVanna at (260) 744-1188.


DeBrand Fine Chocolates
DeBrand Fine Chocolates graciously gives a piece of its wonderful chocolate to each woman receiving a mammogram while the coach is at DeBrand’s Auburn Road location. Schedule your 2010 appointment for June 23, August 16 or November 18, and enjoy the reward of mouth-watering chocolate - just for taking care of yourself!


Thank our supporters
When you visit the mobile mammography coach, remember to thank our many community partners who allow the coach to park in their lots, making it more convenient for women to get this life-saving screening. Companies such as Scott's Food & Pharmacy, Kroger, DeBrand Fine Chocolates, Curves and many others have been with us since the very beginning. Their partnership is invaluable.

Also, thank the many corporations that invite us to come to the workplace for their employees. We are blessed to have so many companies that care.

meet our staff francines friends contact

Why should I do a breast self-exam?

Monthly breast self-exams (BSE) can help you know how your breasts normally feel and look, so you can notice any changes. Most breast changes or lumps are not cancerous, but only a health care provider can tell you for sure. BSE is recommended to be performed at the same time every month, a few days after your period ends.

What am I looking for when I do a breast self-exam?

You are looking for a lump or change that stands out as different from the rest of your breast tissue. If you find a lump or other change in your breast, examine the other breast. If both breasts feel the same, the lumpiness is probably normal. As you get to know your breasts better by doing breast self-exams, you should be able to tell the difference between your normal lumpiness and a possible change.

If you experience any of these changes, you should see your health care provider right away.

What is the difference between a screening and diagnostic mammogram?

Screening mammography is an exam for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer. Diagnostic mammography may include additional views of the breast and is used when an abnormality is found during screening or in women who have breast complaints, such as a breast mass, nipple discharge, breast pain or skin irritation. A diagnostic mammogram requires a physician order.

What should I expect during a mammogram?

A mammogram takes approxiamtely 15 minutes and can be scheduled by you or your physician. During the mammogram, two to four pictures of each breast may be taken. Compression is necessary to spread the tissue to allow better detection at the lowest radiation dosage.

Are mammograms painful?

Breast compression may cause slight discomfort for a brief time during each x-ray, but it should not be painful. To lessen this discomfort, you should abstain from caffeine intake for two weeks prior to your appointment. The Mammo pad is a foam pad which may lessen your discomfort. Just ask the technologist at the time of your mammogram.

How do I prepare for a mammogram?

Before scheduling a mammogram, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that you discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your doctor. In addition, inform your doctor of any prior surgeries, hormone use, and family or personal history of breast cancer.

Do not schedule your mammogram for the week before your period if your breasts are usually tender during this time. The best time for a mammogram is one week following your period. Always inform your doctor or x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant

The ACS also recommends you:

What are the new guidelines for receiving a mammogram?

If you are confused about the recent mammogram guidelines announced by the U.S. Preventative Task Force, you are not alone. The recommendation for women in their 40s to forgo mammograms and women aged 50 to 74 get mammograms every other year rather than once a year has been met with harsh criticism from other medical experts.

At the Breast Diagnostic Center, we believe this announcement is no cause for concern and you should continue to be empowered and proactive about leading a healthy life.

Early detection, along with annual mammograms, has helped to identify 25 newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients under 50 in the last year at the Breast Diagnostic Center. For this reason, the physicians at FWRadiology and Breast Diagnostic Center continue to support and recommend the guidelines promoted by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that annual mammograms for women should begin at age 40.

Mammograms should continue to be an important tool in saving lives of women.