Certificate of Competence in Breast cancer - fifth cohort (CCB5)

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.  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), equalling a work load of 381 hours and a diploma supplement by Ulm University.

• Duration: 16 months
• Structure: 5 online modules & 3 in presence seminars: participation in San Gallen BCC (Vienn), ABC Congress (Lisbon), and a 4-day stand alone seminar in Ulm, Germany
• Collaborating university:  Ulm Univeristy, Germany
• Chairs:  Fatima Cardoso, PT, Alexandru Eniu, CH, Jens Huober, CH, Wolfgang Janni, DE, Hope Rugo, US
• Start date next cohort: March 2023
• Application status: Closed.  Applications will open for the next edition of the CCB in summer 2024

Upon successful completion of the programme and after passing the final exam, participants will obtain an academic certificate issued by the European School of Oncology and Ulm University.

For further information please contact:  Alexandra Zampetti, azampetti@eso.net

LINK TO THE PLATFORM HERE.

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 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. 

Elegibility

1. Oncologists:
   1. Degree from a college or university^[1] 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
2. Natural scientists:
   1. Degree from a college or university^[2] 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 ^[3] at a college or university and
   2. at least two years of professional experience in oncology (medical oncology, radiation oncology, gynaecology, senology, pathology).

3. 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, e.g., board certified haematologist/oncologist)
• Publications, as evidenced by cumulative impact factors greater than 10
• 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)

In keeping with the ESO mission, the cost of the CCB programme is generously subsidized by the European School of Oncology (ESO).

The tuition fee which remains to be paid by each participant is EUR 5.400.

In a further effort to make the cost of this programme accessible to professionals living in emerging economies, a discounted fee of EUR 3.000 will be applied to residents of lower and middle income countries as defined by The World Bank.

The tuition fee includes:

1. Access to the modules via a dedicated online platform
2. Access to the in-person seminars foreseen by the programme, including registration for the indicated congresses and accommodation (San Gallen BCC 2023, ABC7 2023, CCB stand-alone seminar 2024)
3. Access to all exams required by the programme

The tuition fee does not include:

1. Travel to the in-person seminars

REFUNDS

Cancellation of participation in the programme should be submitted in writing. A refund of the tuition fee will be considered if the programme has not started yet and on a case by case basis.

Chairs

Fatima Cardoso, PT
Alexandru Eniu, CH
Jens Huober, CH
Wolfgang Janni, DE
Brigitte Rack, DE
Hope Rugo, US

Scientific Directors

Jack Cuzick, UK
Ivana Bozovic,
Magali La Croix-Triki, FR
Ana Tecic Vuger, HR
Oreste Gentilini, IT
Simona Volovat, RO
Volkmar Mueller, DE
Francesco Meani, CH
Nadia Harbeck, DE
Katarzyna Pogoda, PL

Conceptual Development and Organization

Uta Schmidt-Strassburger, DE
Alexandra Zampetti, CH