Certificate of Competence in Breast cancer - sixth cohort (CCB6)

Applications for the Certificate of Competence in Breast cancer (CCB) programme will open in early May 2025. 

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 the scientific capability of oncologists, ensuring better-quality management of breast cancer patients.

This programme, which is offered on a part-time basis over 14 months, is divided into three attendance seminars and four 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 14 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System Points (ECTS), equaling a work load of 381 hours and a diploma supplement by Ulm University.

• Duration: 16 months
• Credits assigned: 14 ECTS
• Structure: 5 online modules + 3 in person seminars
• Collaborating university: Ulm University
• Start date next cohort: March 2026

ESO College Membership

Being selected to take part in this course is one of the ESO activities that gives participants eligibility to enrol in ESO’s College. The course also enables members of the College to earn credits and therefore access more membership benefits. Full and active participation in the course as well as passing the final certificate examination earns participants 400 ESO College credits.

Key Dates

• Application opening: May 2025
• Application deadline: 15 September 2025
• Start date:March 2026
• Seminar 1: 25 - 27 March, 2026, EBCC-15, Barcellona, Spain
• Seminar 2: Autumn 2026, Learning to Care Seminar, Padova, Italy
• Seminar 3 and final exam: June/July 2027, (exact date TBC), Ulm, Germany

For further information please contact azampetti@eso.net

Admission

Admission to the Certificate of Competence in Breast cancer programme will be by competitive application only.  Applications will be considered if received with all required documents by the published deadline. Attendance is limited to 25 participants per cohort.  Decisions on admissions are made by the appointed Programme Chair.

Attendance

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

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

The program is designed for medical doctors (medical oncology, radiation oncology, gynaecology, senology), and surgeons who are engaged in the field of oncology, especially in the field of breast cancer.  It is also accessible to graduates of natural sciences who are engaged in the field of oncology, especially breast cancer.

• Medical doctors:

Medical degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent degree at the level of state examination and have at least four years of studies and at least two years of clinical experience in one of the following disciplines: medical oncology, radiation oncology, gynaecology, senology, pathology.

• Natural scientists:

Degree from a college or university 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 contents   at a college or university and at least two years of professional experience in oncology.

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

Application will open on early May.

Applications for the Certificate of Competence in Breast cancer (CCB) programme have been suspended.  The new application period will be communicated as soon as possible.

ATTENDANCE TO THIS CERTIFICATE IS BY APPLICATION ONLY.

25 PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SELECTED.

Applications deadline: 15 September 2025

IDEAL PROFILE OF THE CERTIFICATE CANDIDATE:

• Completed specialisation in oncology at least 2 years ago
• Involvement in scientific activities and clinical trials
• Fluency in English
• From ESO’s geographical reach: Europe, Mediterranean countries and Latin America
• Aged up to 50 years

Priority will also be given to candidates who:

• Have previously participated in ESO’s activities
• Are members of ESO’s College.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply online (at the top of this page).

The application process involves completing an online questionnaire, where you will provide details about:

• Your work experience and training
• Your research experience and publications
• Your motivation and personal commitment to participating in this activity

During the application, you will also need to upload the following documents in PDF or JPEG format:

• Recommendation letter: A letter from your head of department or mentor, written on official hospital letterhead and signed.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Copy of medical degree or equivalent degree in medicine or natural sciences or any other study programme covering the same contents in the original language and a certified English translation
• Copy of transcript of records of the examinations taken during the medical degree programme in the original language and a certified English translation
• If the point above is not applicable, please provide a record of all study achievements and examination results obtained in the course of studies until the application deadline
• Employment verification/reference letters accounting for professional experience in oncology
• Supporting documents to verify additional qualifications

You should also view this Data Protection statement and you will be asked to confirm that you ‘accept’ this statement during the application process.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications are evaluated through a two-step process:

1. Automated Scoring: Some responses are assessed using a predefined scoring system to ensure fairness and consistency. Points are assigned based on your answers.
2. Committee Evaluation: Other sections, including your qualitative responses, are reviewed and scored by our selection committee.

This type of evaluation ensures a transparent and unbiased selection of top candidates for participation in this activity.

In keeping with the mission of the European School of Oncology, ESO generously subsidizes the cost of the CCB programme.  The tuition fee which remains to be paid by each participant is EUR 4’900.  A CAS Financial Aid Fund will be available for participants who cannot cover the full fee directly.

The tuition fee includes:

• Access to the modules via a dedicated online platform
• Access to the three in-person seminars foreseen by the programme, including registration for the indicated congresses and accommodation
• Access to all exams required by the programme

The tuition fee does not include travel to the in-person seminars.

Cancellation

Cancellation should be submitted in writing and will be treated on a case-to-case base.

Chairs

• Wolfgang Janni (DE)
• Matteo Lambertini (IT)

Scientific Programme Coordinator

• Alexandru Eniu (CH)

Course Coordinator

• Brigitte Rack (DE)

Conceptual Development and Organisation

• Alexandra Zampetti, ESO, CH