Francine’s Friends

Who We Are

Francine's Friends is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, providing mobile mammography in partnership with Parkview Health and Breast Diagnostic Center. It was started by a group of local businesswomen and community leaders who were determined to make early detection of breast cancer available to every woman in Fort Wayne and the surrounding area. Francine’s Friends raised the funds to purchase a mobile mammography coach for the Fort Wayne community and continues to raise funds each year to help support the program’s operating budget.

Francine’s Friends is named for Francine Schubert, the wife of a local physician, who died as a result of breast cancer. Francine Schubert’s untiring approach to life and living was an inspiration to all who knew her. Francine’s devotion and commitment to the American Cancer Society and its goals and objectives were long-lasting and far-reaching. Her ability to persuade community leaders into donating funds to cancer research is legendary.

She was devoted to her family and friends and had a wonderful outlook on life. When cancer came, Francine used the same energy and commitment to battle her disease. Although Francine fought bravely and never let cancer appear to have the upper hand, she lost her fight in September 2002.

Francine’s Friends began the program in 2005 and in the first three years, more than 8,000 screenings were given. Of the women screened, 32 percent had never had a mammogram or had not had one in the preceding three years. The coach now provides mammography access to women at more than 600 businesses, churches, community centers, schools and other sites in northeast Indiana.

To schedule a mammogram, call 260.483.1847.
To schedule a visit of the mobile mammography coach at your site, contact the community outreach coordinator at 260.266.9180 or debi.kennedy@parkview.com.

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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.