ESBS Educational Initiatives
ESBS Comprehensive Knowledge Programme in Breast Cancer Management
A structured multidisciplinary learning programme for breast surgeons
About the Programme
Contemporary Breast Cancer Management in One Connected Programme
The programme is designed to update and strengthen the knowledge breast surgeons need for contemporary multidisciplinary practice.
Teaching will follow the patient pathway from diagnosis, imaging and staging through pathology, tumour biology, systemic treatment, surgical management, the axilla, radiotherapy and multidisciplinary treatment planning.
The programme will combine preparation, live discussion, applied case-based teaching and formal assessment rather than relying on a single short course.
ESBS Certificate of Successful Completion in Breast Cancer Management
The certificate will be awarded to participants who meet the published attendance requirements and achieve the approved standard in the post-course assessment.
Programme dates, detailed learning outcomes, faculty, assessment arrangements, CPD recognition and external accreditation will be confirmed before registration opens.
Programme Structure
The Learning Pathway
The programme is delivered in four connected stages. Each stage prepares participants for the next and contributes to the final assessment.
Stage One
Guided Reading
Participants receive a focused reading package before and during the webinar programme. The material provides a shared foundation for the live teaching and clinical discussions.
Available before and throughout the live programme
Stage Two
Six Preparatory Webinars
Six online webinars introduce the main curriculum themes, review current evidence and provide time for focused discussion with the faculty.
February to April 2027
Stage Three
Three-Day Face-to-Face Course
The face-to-face course applies the knowledge developed during the reading and webinars. Teaching will focus on decision-making, clinical application and multidisciplinary case management.
Planned for late April 2027
Stage Four
Post-Course Assessment
Participants complete a formal knowledge assessment mapped to the published curriculum and learning outcomes after the face-to-face course.
Planned within one to two weeks after the course
Online Preparation
Six Preparatory Webinars
Two webinars will be delivered each month from February to April 2027. Each session introduces a major part of the curriculum and prepares participants for the face-to-face course.
Webinar One
Diagnosis, Imaging and Staging
The diagnostic pathway and the essential information required before treatment planning.
- Triple assessment
- Mammography, ultrasound and breast MRI
- Image-guided biopsy and localisation
- Radiological–pathological concordance
- Clinical and radiological staging
- Imaging after neoadjuvant treatment
Webinar Two
Pathology, Tumour Biology and Subtypes
Pathological and biological features that guide prognosis, treatment selection and surgical decisions.
- Invasive breast cancer and DCIS
- Histological type, grade and stage
- ER, PR, HER2 and proliferation markers
- Breast cancer subtypes
- Prognostic and predictive factors
- Response after neoadjuvant treatment
Webinar Three
Systemic Treatment and Surgery
Systemic treatment by breast cancer subtype and its influence on surgical timing and extent.
- Neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment
- Endocrine therapy and chemotherapy
- Anti-HER2 treatment
- Immunotherapy and targeted treatment
- Subtype-based treatment selection
- Surgery after systemic treatment
Webinar Four
Surgical Management of the Breast
Surgical choices for the primary tumour before and after systemic treatment.
- Selection for breast-conserving surgery
- Margin management
- Oncoplastic breast conservation
- Indications for mastectomy
- Skin- and nipple-sparing approaches
- Reconstructive considerations
Webinar Five
Contemporary Management of the Axilla
Current approaches to axillary staging and treatment in primary surgery and after neoadjuvant therapy.
- Sentinel lymph-node biopsy
- Limited sentinel-node disease
- Clinically node-positive disease
- Management after neoadjuvant treatment
- Targeted axillary approaches
- Reducing morbidity and lymphoedema risk
Webinar Six
Radiotherapy and Treatment Planning
Radiotherapy principles and the sequencing of surgery, systemic treatment and regional disease management.
- Whole- and partial-breast radiotherapy
- Hypofractionation
- Post-mastectomy radiotherapy
- Regional nodal irradiation
- Radiotherapy after oncoplastic surgery
- Integrated multidisciplinary cases
The sequence and detailed content remain subject to final curriculum and faculty review.
Applied Learning
Three-Day Face-to-Face Course
The face-to-face course will bring the programme together through applied teaching, multidisciplinary discussion and clinical decision-making.
Building on the Preparatory Programme
The three-day course will not simply repeat the webinar content. Participants will use the knowledge developed through the reading and online sessions to work through complete clinical pathways, treatment decisions and areas of changing practice.
Diagnosis and Disease Biology
Establishing the diagnosis, defining disease extent and understanding the biological information that drives treatment.
- Imaging and diagnostic pathways
- Radiological–pathological concordance
- Pathology and tumour biology
- Breast cancer subtypes
- Staging and prognostic assessment
- Systemic treatment selection
- Integrated multidisciplinary cases
Surgical Management
Applying contemporary evidence to surgical planning for the breast and axilla before and after systemic treatment.
- Selection for breast conservation
- Margin management
- Oncoplastic decision-making
- Mastectomy and reconstructive considerations
- Surgery after neoadjuvant treatment
- Management of the axilla
- Complex surgical cases
Integrated Multidisciplinary Management
Bringing surgery, systemic treatment and radiotherapy together across the complete breast cancer pathway.
- Radiotherapy principles
- Treatment sequencing
- Subtype-specific management
- Special and complex presentations
- Controversies and recent evidence
- Complete patient-pathway cases
- Course consolidation and assessment preparation
Teaching Approach
The course will combine short expert updates, integrated clinical cases, multidisciplinary discussion, treatment-planning exercises, audience-response questions and focused review of areas where evidence or practice is changing.
The final dates, venue, faculty and detailed daily programme will be confirmed before registration opens.
Stage Four
Knowledge Assessment and Certificate
The programme will conclude with a formal assessment based on the published curriculum and learning outcomes.
Formal Knowledge Assessment
Assessing Understanding Across the Programme
The assessment will test the application of knowledge across the main curriculum domains. Questions will reflect the reading, webinars and face-to-face teaching.
The assessment is expected to take place within one to two weeks after the face-to-face course, allowing participants time to consolidate their learning.
Successful Completion
An Assessed ESBS Certificate
Participants who meet the attendance requirements and achieve the approved assessment standard will receive:
The certificate recognises successful completion of the structured knowledge programme and its formal assessment.
Certificate of Successful Completion
Awarded to participants who meet the attendance requirements and achieve the approved pass standard in the knowledge assessment.
Certificate of Attendance
May be issued to participants who meet the attendance requirements but do not complete or pass the formal knowledge assessment.
Reassessment Opportunity
Participants who do not initially achieve the required standard are expected to receive appropriate feedback and one supported opportunity for reassessment, in accordance with the final published assessment policy.
Scope of the Certificate
The certificate will recognise successful completion of an assessed educational programme in breast cancer management. It will not constitute specialist registration, board certification, a licence to practise or evidence of independent operative competence.
The final assessment format, question number, pass standard, reassessment policy and quality-assurance process will be confirmed following ESBS educational governance review.
ESBS Member Benefit
Complimentary Programme Access for Approved ESBS Members
The programme is planned as a core educational benefit for surgeons whose Society membership has been reviewed, approved and remains active.
Supporting the Professional Development of ESBS Members
Subject to final programme arrangements and available capacity, approved ESBS members will be eligible to join the guided reading, webinar series, face-to-face course and first assessment opportunity without a separate programme fee.
Planned Member Access
Membership Approval
Submitting a membership application does not provide immediate programme access. Membership must first be reviewed and formally approved by ESBS.
Programme Eligibility
Approved membership does not automatically guarantee a place. Access will remain subject to the published eligibility requirements, application process and available capacity.
Surgeons who are not yet ESBS members may review the Society’s membership categories, eligibility requirements and application process.
Final member access, course capacity, attendance requirements and assessment arrangements will be confirmed before programme registration opens.
Programme Development
Curriculum, Quality Assurance and Accreditation
The programme is being developed as a structured, assessed educational pathway rather than a stand-alone short course.
Educational Development
A Defined and Evidence-Based Curriculum
The curriculum will be developed around clear learning outcomes and the knowledge required for contemporary multidisciplinary breast cancer management.
- Published curriculum scope and learning outcomes
- Selected evidence-based reading materials
- Teaching aligned with current guidance and practice
- Faculty review of webinar and course content
- Assessment mapped to the curriculum
- Participant evaluation and programme improvement
External Review
Accreditation and CPD Recognition
ESBS intends to seek appropriate external accreditation and CPD recognition for the completed programme.
Any accreditation application will be based on the final curriculum, faculty, teaching methods, assessment process and quality-assurance arrangements.
To Be Confirmed Before Registration Opens
Programme Status
The programme is currently under educational development. Confirmed information will be published on this page as the curriculum, assessment and accreditation processes progress.