E07. The network of breast cancer centres

Abstract

The Breast Centres Network is the first international network of clinical centres dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. It is a project of the ESO (European School of Oncology) and has the aim of promoting and improving breast cancer care in Europe and throughout the world. Our network includes breast units (multidisciplinary breast centres) that fulfil minimum requirements to be considered referral centres (see Eligibility Gate at our website: www.breastcentresnetwork.org). Organisation of multidisciplinary breast units is recommended by EUSOMA, Europa Donna (European Breast Cancer Coalition) and the European Parliament. In the US, breast centre accreditation is offered by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. We offer an online Breast Unit Directory (www .breastcentresnetwork.org) that provides detailed at-aglance information about our members in an attempt to broadcast the state-of-the-art international standards for multidisciplinary breast cancer care. The mission of the Breast Centres Network is to promote synergism among breast units by interconnecting specialists and personnel working in the field, and to help breast cancer patients find the right place for care or for a second opinion. For this purpose, our specific objectives are: 1. to play an active role in the proposal and validation of breast cancer care guidelines; 2. to foster training activities and academic exchange among breast units to ensure scientific updates on breast cancer research; 3. to contribute to the process of standardising breast cancer care among these units according to European Guidelines; and 4. to provide information to help patients and their caregivers to identify high-quality breast units throughout the world. Currently, the Breast Centres Network includes more than 200 breast units from all continents. Our website is a user-friendly resource that allows its members to update the directory with a description of their centres and a comprehensive list of health-care professionals. If you are already a member, we invite you to actively participate in our special session at the EBCC and to feel free to contact breast units and colleagues through the network. If you are not yet a member, we hope you will consider being evaluated in order to become part of our community. Please do not hesitate to contact us through our website www.breastcentresnetwork.org.