Association of Breast Surgery (ABS)
The Association of Breast Surgery (ABS) is the association for healthcare professionals caring for any person with a breast problem.
The Association’s membership includes surgeons and nurse specialists, as well as other members of the wider breast care team, all of whom have expertise in the diagnosis and management of breast conditions, in particular breast cancer. Their members work in the UK, Ireland and worldwide.
The Association’s membership includes surgeons and nurse specialists, as well as other members of the wider breast care team, all of whom have expertise in the diagnosis and management of breast conditions, in particular breast cancer.
History:
The ABS was established in its own right in 2010 but its origins started in 1995 as the British Association of Surgical Oncology (BASO) Breast Group. In 2002 it became the Association of Breast Surgery at BASO under the umbrella of BASO~ the Association of Cancer Surgery (BASO~ACS).
In 2010 the ABS was established as an independent charitable organisation. In the early years, members were general surgeons who managed breast problems - mainly the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer - but as specialist breast care and oncoplastic reconstructive breast surgery developed, surgeons became more specialised. Membership was extended to include nurse specialists, who were crucial to the delivery of high quality breast care, and membership is now open to all members of the breast multidisciplinary team.