Future Planning Committee

Initiatives from August 2022 to July 2024
Last updated: 21 October 2024

Former President
Masakazu Toi, MD, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University
Director, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital

Overview

The JBCS Future Planning Committee (2022 – 2024) identified eight priority issues, established dedicated working groups (WGs), and carried out intensive discussions and projects around each theme. The committee began in autumn 2022 with six WGs and later added two more—one on breast reconstruction and one on university education.

Priority topics were selected based on three criteria:

1. Areas where a gap exists between Japan and leading international practice
2. Clinical issues requiring urgent attention
3. Emerging themes of global importance for the near future

In addition, two Society-wide goals—expanding the JBCS membership and strengthening our capacity to disseminate information—were incorporated into the selection process.

Key Activities by Theme

1. Breast-Cancer Risk Assessment

• Promotion of individualized, quantitative risk models—an area pioneered in the US and UK but under-developed in Asia due to limited registry data and rapidly changing baseline risks.
• Development of Japan-specific risk-assessment tools, public awareness campaigns, and exploration of risk-stratified screening strategies.

2. Breast Reconstruction

• Identification of regional disparities in access to reconstruction surgery.
• Preparation of educational materials for patients and healthcare providers, national surveys, and public-awareness activities to promote equitable access.

3. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Localized Early Breast Cancer

• Japan has led global development and secured the earliest reimbursement approval.
• Collaborations with government and professional societies to define indications, train operators, and accredit facilities.

4. Liquid Biopsy

• High clinical interest in tumor profiling of recurrent disease, assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD), and the development of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) systems.
• Literature reviews, information updates, member education, and the drafting of practical guidance documents.

5. Robotic Surgery for Primary Breast Cancer

• Early adoption in Korea, Taiwan, the UK, and Italy—especially promising for nipple- and areola-sparing mastectomy.
• Multidisciplinary reviews and symposia with international experts to prepare for appropriate, timely implementation in Japan.

6. University Education

• Recognized as essential for integrating cross-disciplinary advances and for increasing both Society membership and the number of certified specialists.
• Initial nationwide survey of undergraduate curricula followed by dissemination of findings to members and ongoing planning of targeted initiatives.

7. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Rapid worldwide progress, particularly in imaging and pathology.
• Sharing of frontier developments, identification of challenges, and discussion of coordination with other professional bodies to facilitate adoption of both domestic and international AI technologies.

8. Data Science and Big Data

• Breast cancer represents the largest reservoir of oncological data in women.
• Data-science approaches were highlighted as indispensable for reviewing past achievements, refining current practice, and designing future strategies.
• Broad member engagement through discussions and information sharing.

Next Steps

A comprehensive two-year summary of each working group’s achievements follows this introduction. We trust that the information will support continued collaboration, inspire new initiatives, and accelerate progress toward improved breast-cancer care in Japan and beyond.