Breast Cancer Specialist Training across Europe: A European Union of Medical Specialists Multidisciplinary Joint...

The UEMS (European Union of Medical Specialists) MJC (Multidisciplinary Joint Committee) Breast Care surveyed current practice in training, research, and continuous education among European breast cancer (BC) specialists. The goal was to describe the landscape of BC care across Europe and identify areas for improvement.

In collaboration with EUBREAST (European Breast Cancer Research Association of Surgical Trialists), a 20-question online questionnaire was developed and distributed to physicians specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of BC across Europe. The survey targeted geneticists, general surgeons, gynecologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, radiologists, and radiation oncologists.

A total of 471 respondents (208 female, 263 male) from 26 countries (20 EU member states, 6 nonmember states) provided data. BC caseload strongly differed among the respondents. Approximately 50% of respondents dedicated more than half of their working time to BC diagnosis or treatment. Training backgrounds and additional BC education varied widely, with 63% of respondents having pursued certified BC training post-specialization. Nearly all respondents attended BC educational meetings at least annually, and 68% had authored or coauthored peer-reviewed publications within the last 3 years. Noteworthy discrepancies were identified based on respondents' gender and workplace.

BC caseload, training, additional education, teaching, and research activities of European BC specialists vary widely. Standardization of training protocols and promotion of research and continuous education initiatives are needed to ensure consistent, high-quality care for BC patients across Europe. Establishing quality standards will be essential in fostering improved outcomes and advancing the field of BC care continent-wide.