My name is Takashi Ishikawa, Department of Breast Science, Tokyo Medical University. I have been appointed as the 7th President of this society. This society was jointly established in March 2012 by the Japanese Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Japanese Society of Breast Cancer Surgery with the aim of “pursuing radical cure and cosmetics in breast cancer surgery” and is now in its 12th year. The presidency of the board of directors rotates between the two societies, and I took over the baton from Dr. Toshiharu Mihanabe of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

With advances in drug therapy, even the omission of surgery has become a reality in the treatment of breast cancer, especially in cases of female hormone receptor-negative disease. While the position of surgery in treatment is changing, we breast surgeons feel that we are at the mercy of new drugs being developed one after another. However, surgery remains the most important treatment method, and I believe that surgery without excess or deficiency will remain the basis of treatment for this disease.

The society has developed a variety of activities centered on the registration and management of breast expander implants, which was the impetus for its founding, as well as investigations of complications. However, we have not yet done enough in terms of spreading awareness and educating the public about breast reconstruction, and the disparity between regions is a particular problem. In addition, there is still room for improvement in the techniques used to enhance the cosmetic appearance of breast conserving surgery. There is also no shortage of topics related to minimally invasive treatments, endoscopic and robotic surgery, and new treatment methods such as fat grafting.

In order to recruit young doctors interested in this field and to educate the public, we would like to take new initiatives such as revitalizing our website, introducing Cadaver surgical training, and collaborating with academic societies in South Korea and Taiwan that are leading the way in robotic surgery.

Dr. Hiroki Mori of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Tokyo University of Science, who is also a board member of the Japanese Breast Cancer Association, will serve as Vice President, and we will work more closely than ever with plastic and breast surgeons to contribute to the development of this association and the advancement of breast cancer treatment. I look forward to working with you over the next two years.

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Past Chief Directors of the Society (honorifics omitted):

First, Hiroshi Sonoo (breast surgery):

August 2012-October 2014

Second, Hiroyuki Ohjimi (plastic and reconstructive surgery):

October 2014-October 2016

Third, Seigo Nakamura (breast surgery):

October 2016-September 2018

Fourth, Hirotaka Asato (plastic and reconstructive surgery):

September 2018-October 2020

Fifth, Koichiro Tsugawa (breast surgery):

October 2020-October 2022

Sixth, Toshiharu Minabe (plastic and reconstructive surgery):

October 2022- Present