Breast Surgical Oncology Certification (BRESO)

Currently, training across Europe in Breast Surgery is very heterogeneous. Many certified surgeons may have limited exposure to breast surgery. BRESO is determined to enhance breast surgery training, harmonising standards and elevating them from their current variable levels.

Interview with Isabel Rubio

BRESO Flyer

The objectives

Enhance breast surgery training, harmonising standards and elevating them from their current variable levels
Certify proficient knowledge of applying candidates in the scientific basis and clinical practice of breast cancer surgery

What we offer

Comprehensive training programmes and European-wide certification for breast cancer surgeons
Recognition of experienced surgeons through a certificate based on proven expertise
Approval of breast units that meet BRESO standards to deliver high-quality surgical training

Administration fee

€ 350

To be paid after application approval.

Retrospective Certification Application

BRESO aims to promote accredited specialist breast surgical care for breast cancer patients and women at high risk of breast cancer by offering a dedicated certification programme in breast cancer surgery.

BRESO Retrospective Certification Requires:

Full medical qualification and active licence to practice (in good standing, surgeons under suspension will not be eligible) and have completed surgical training in general, gynaecology or plastic surgeryin general, gynaecology or plastic surgery
Working as a senior/attending/consultant surgeon (and for at least the 5 previous years) in a specialist breast unit treating a minimum of 150 cases per year for at least 2 of these 5 years and personally treating a minimum of 50 cases per year for all of the previous 5 years. Practice may be in a public or private hospital or a combination of the two. Practice must be breast focused for at least 50% of your working hours
Minimum of 3 pubmed listed publications over the entire career and documentary evidence of engagement with service improvement (e.g. one completed audit or service evaluation of local unit practice, academic presentation (oral or poster) either one pubmed cited publication per year for the past 5 years to demonstrate engagement with service improvement and a good understanding or evidence based practice)

Attendance of at least 1 breast congress or course per year of which 2 must be international (such as EBCC, St Gallen, San Antonio, Senaturk), in the previous 5 years. Congress may be virtual
Weekly attendance at a properly constituted breast MDT (with attendance of a medical and radiation oncologist, pathologist and imaging consultant). At least 50% attendance is required
An examination to certify your expertise in breast surgery (honorary certification is acceptable) OR provide evidence of advanced level competency in the management of breast cancer, including oncoplastic techniques (BRESO acknowledges that breast examinations are a recent development)
Summary log book for the past 5 years to confirm minimum of 50 cases treated per year, of which the following must be included: 30 ANCs, 100 SLNB, 50 Mx, 150 BCS and 20 oncoplastic cases (including involvement in post-mastectomy reconstruction and oncoplastic conservation surgery either as lead surgeon or collaborating surgeon within an oncoplastic team)

Documents to be provided (in a single pdf document and only in English)

Medical Qualification
Completion of surgical training in general, gynaecology or plastic surgery
Active licence to practice EG GMC
Specialist breast qualification (national/international) or equivalent (testimonial Head of Department/Hospital director)
CV (english preferred)
A testimonial Head of Department/Hospital director or Operation logbook/print out from hospital computerised system (anonymised)
Research: Minimum 3 pubmed listed publications over career
Quality improvement: Minimum 1 presentation (oral/poster) OR pubmed listed publication every year for previous 5 years
Proof of attendance or faculty of minimum 1 breast congress/course every year for previous 5 years – 2 must be international (EG. EBCC, St Gallen, San Antonio, Senaturk)
Hospital digital MDM certificate or attendance and/or testimonial from Head of Department/Hospital director