Certificate of Competence in Breast Cancer (CCB)

Overview

Collaborating university: Ulm University

The Certificate of Competence in Breast cancer (CCB) was launched in 2015 and is the first competence programme to focus on the improvement of both the clinical and scientific capability of oncologists, ensuring better-quality management of breast cancer patients.

This programme, which is offered on a part-time basis over 13 months, is divided into three attendance seminars and five online modules.

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will obtain an academic certificate issued by the European School of Oncology and Ulm University assigning 13 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System Points (ECTS), equalling a work load of 381 hours and a diploma supplement by Ulm University.

Curriculum

Download full CCB curriculum here

	Attendance 1	Module 1	Module 2	Module 3	Attendance 2	Module 4	Module 5	Attendance 3	Total
Timeline	4-8 May 2021	May-July 2021 2.5 months	August-September 2021 2 months	October-November 2021 2 months	4-6 November 2021	December-mid-March 2022 3 months	Mid-March to June 2022 2.5 months	28 June - 2 July 2022	14 months
Content	CCB only + Virtual ESMO Breast Congress	Epidemiology and prevention, biology and clinical trials	Principles of diagnostics, DCIS, gene predisposition	The breast unit model and LABC	CCB only + Virtual ABC6	Management of early breast cancer	Management of advanced breast cancer, male BC and supportive therapies	CCB stand- alone seminar, including practical training + Exam Ulm
Workload	25 hrs In-person	25 units 75 hrs Distance learning + Module test	14 units 42 hrs Distance learning + Module test	13 units 39 hrs Distance learning + Module test	25 hrs In-person	25 units 75 hrs Distance learning + Module test	25 units 75 hrs Distance learning + Module test	25 hrs In-person + Certificate exam	75 hrs In-person + 306 hrs Distance learning 381 hrs
Credits	1 ECTS	52 units - 156 hrs			1 ECTS	50 units - 150 hrs		1 ECTS	13 ECTS

Admission and Eligibility

Admission

Admission to the Certificate of Competence in Breast Cancer programme will be by competitive application only and the selection will be based on the eligibility criteria and on the selection procedure.

Applications will be considered if received completed with all required documents and within the deadline. Attendance is limited to 25 participants.

The following documents are to be included with the application:

•	Curriculum vitae outlining previous education and professional experience
•	Copy of bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in medicine or natural sciences or any other study programme covering the same contents
•	The above document should be submitted as a certified English translation
•	Copy of transcript of records of the examinations taken during the bachelor’s degree programme
•	The above document should be submitted as a certified English translation
•	If the point above is not applicable, record of all study achievements and examination results obtained in the course of studies until the application deadline
•	Proof of loss of right to take examinations or final failure in examinations in the respective programme, if applicable
•	Employment verification/reference letters accounting for professional experience in oncology
•	Personal statement, which explains why you believe you are eligible for this programme and how and why it will further support your intended career
•	Supporting documents to verify additional qualifications

The selection will be based on completed application documents and on the eligibility criteria.
Decisions on admissions are made by the appointed Programme Chair.

Attendance

To obtain the Certificate of Competence in Breast cancer, it will be compulsory that participants will attend all seminars and modules according to the provided timeline.

Insurance

The organisers bear no responsibility for untoward events in relation to the participation in the seminars. Participants are advised to take out their own personal and travel insurance coverage.

Eligibility

Oncologists:
1. Degree from a college or university¹ in a medical course of studies or an equivalent degree at the level of at least four years of studies and
2. At least two years of clinical experience in one of the following disciplines:
  - Medical oncology
  - Radiation oncology
  - Gynaecology
  - Senology
  - Pathology

Natural scientists:
1. Degree from a college or university² in a course of studies in natural sciences or an equivalent degree at the level of at least three years of studies or in a course of studies with essentially the same contents³ at a college or university and
2. At least two years of professional experience in oncology (medical oncology, radiation oncology, gynaecology, senology, pathology).

The following additional achievements will increase the assessment rate of the application:
1. Further professional experience related to the course of studies
2. Completion of an additional qualification in oncology (specialist training as a physician or international equivalent, e.g., board certified haematologist/oncologist)
3. Publications, as evidenced by cumulative impact factors greater than 10
4. At least one year of relevant oncological experience in a foreign country

(1) e.g. State examination in medicine
(2) At least a bachelor’s degree
(3) Examples of courses of study with essentially the same contents are biology, molecular medicine, biochemistry and pharmacology (state examination)

Application

This programme takes place every two years and the 2021/2022 edition of this programme is already underway.

The next cohort will take place from 2023/2024, with applications opening in summer 2022.

Tuitition

The tuition fee is EUR 5,400. A discounted fee of EUR 3,000 is implemented and made available to participants from low, lower middle and upper middle-income economies as defined by The World Bank.

The tuition fee includes:

Access to the modules via a dedicated online learning platform
Access to seminars foreseen by the programme, including registration and accommodation
Access to all exams required by the programme
The administrative fee for the enrolment at Ulm University

Editorial Board

Chairs

Fatima Cardoso, Champalimaud Cancer Center, Lisbon, Portugal
Alexandru Eniu, Riviera-Chablais Hospital, Rennaz, Switzerland
Jens Huober, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
Wolfgang Janni, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
Olivia Pagani, ESO Breast Cancer Programme Coordinator and Riviera-Chablais Hospital, Rennaz, Switzerland
Hope Rugo, University of California San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, USA

Overall Scientific Director

Olivia Pagani, ESO Breast Cancer Programme Coordinator and Riviera-Chablais Hospital, Rennaz, Switzerland

Module Scientific Directors

Module 1: Jack Cuzick, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, University of London, London, UK
Module 2: Tibor Tot, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
Module 3: Oreste Gentilini, San Raffaele University Hospital, Milan, Italy
Module 4: Volkmar Müller, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Gynecology Oncology Dept., Hamburg, Germany
Module 5: Nadia Harbeck, Hospital of the University of Munich, Breast Centre, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Munich, Germany

Conceptual Development and Organisation

Ute Schmidt-Strassburger, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
Alexandra Zampetti, ESO, Bellinzona Switzerland