DISSECT meeting
Tackling disparities in cancer care and surgical training, DISSECT training school in Sofia, Bulgaria
The first DISSECT training school addressed financial, geographic and gender disparities in cancer care and surgical training.
At a glance
Meeting details
Key information from the published DISSECT programme.
First DISSECT training school in Sofia
From 26 to 27 February 2026, Sofia hosted the first DISSECT COST Action CA24158 training school, themed “DISSECTion of Disparities in Surgical Specialisation”. The event brought together surgeons, oncologists, researchers, policymakers and patient organisations to discuss disparities in oncology treatment and surgical education in Europe and beyond.
Day 1 — global inequities, mentorship and lymphoedema
Professor Dr Wim Ceelen opened with an overview of the DISSECT surgical oncology curriculum. Dr Mariela Vasileva discussed disparities in breast cancer treatment; Lucy Labova and Prof Shterev addressed Bulgarian health-system performance and lifelong clinical learning.
Dr Stefan Stättner presented “The price of the mentorship”, followed by a trainee perspective from Tsvetelina Paycheva.
Dr Mohos Balazs and Dr Miroslava Chortova discussed gaps in lymphoedema management. Maya Jokic demonstrated decongestive therapies online, and Dr Carmela Caballero addressed patient partnerships in international collaborative cancer research.
Day 2 — technology, diversity and professional skills
Dr Ana-Maria Musina presented updates on the Axsana trial, while Jean Calleja-Agius discussed GYNOCARE COST Action experience. Alexander Boyadjiev addressed equitable access to robotic surgery education.
Boaz Hovav discussed the financial and disease burden of cancer in Europe. Pallvi Kaul spoke about retaining and progressing women in European surgical oncology training, and Luiza Ohasi addressed professional ‘soft skills’ and burnout.
Dr Huseyin Bayram considered how digital tools and artificial intelligence might support mentorship and career planning. Professor Dr Wim Ceelen closed with next steps towards harmonising surgical training.
The road ahead
The school called for action on financial, geographic and gender gaps in surgical oncology. It names Dr Mariela Vasileva-Slaveva, Dr Miroslava Chortova and their team as organisers.