The first training school under the DISSECT COST Action (CA24158) program was successfully held in Sofia, Bulgaria, on February 26–27, organized by Dr. Mariela Vasileva-Slaveva with the support of Bulgarian Breast Cancer Association (BBCA), Bulgarian Lymphoedema Association and ESSOWith the support of COST EU program COST European Cooperation in Science and Technology, DISSECT (Disparities in Surgical Specialisation and Education in Cancer Training) brings together surgeons, patient advocates, and multidisciplinary experts from across Europe and beyond to address inequalities in cancer surgery training. Over the course of two productive days, participants took part in expert presentations, panel discussions, and practical exchanges focused on identifying, measuring, and reducing inequalities in cancer surgery education.
The program highlighted the importance of education as a driver of professional development, workforce retention, patient outcomes, and the quality of healthcare. The sessions covered a wide range of topics, including residency training pathways, mentoring, training women in surgical oncology, multidisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and international best practices. The event also provided valuable opportunities for networking and developing new collaborations in the fields of research and education. As noted by Prof. Wim Celen, Chair of the DISSECT Management Committee, this initiative is both timely and highly relevant, with five active working groups already open to members, focusing on inequalities, research capacity, multidisciplinary knowledge exchange, mentoring, and innovation.
