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The Cerrado and Science: 15 Years of the BBCS and a New Milestone for Brazilian Breast Cancer Research
The Cerrado, Brazil’s tropical savanna, has a remarkable characteristic: at first glance, its soil does not appear to offer the most favorable conditions for lush vegetation. Yet, with proper preparation, care, and investment, it reveals surprising fertility and extraordinary potential. This may be a fitting metaphor for the evolution of breast cancer research in Brazil.
In 2026, the Brazilian Breast Cancer Symposium (BBCS) celebrated its 15th anniversary. Established to foster research, promote collaboration among investigators, and strengthen scientific output in Brazil, the symposium has become the country’s leading scientific meeting dedicated to breast cancer research. This anniversary edition marked another important milestone, as the BBCS was held jointly with the Brazilian Congress of Mastology (CBM). This collaboration brought scientific research and clinical practice even closer together, uniting different generations of professionals and multiple areas of expertise around a shared goal.
The scientific outcomes of this collaboration were remarkable. A total of 210 abstracts were published in the corresponding supplementary issue of Mastology, surpassing the 200-abstract threshold and representing one of the highest levels of scientific output ever achieved at national meetings in the specialty. All submissions met ethical requirements and underwent evaluation by an independent panel of highly experienced scientific reviewers, reinforcing the commitment to quality and scientific integrity.
To fully appreciate the significance of this achievement, it is worth looking back. In 2011, when the CBM was also held in Goiânia, 214 abstracts were published in its supplementary issue—a figure that remains the historical record. Since then, the number of published abstracts has ranged from 69 at the 2024 CBM in Porto Alegre to 146 at the 2025 BBCS in Brasília. Fifteen years later, once again in Goiânia, the joint CBM–BBCS meeting resulted in 210 scientific abstracts, nearly matching the highest number ever recorded in the history of these events.
There is something particularly symbolic about this trajectory: the two highest levels of scientific output in this historical series were achieved in Goiânia. Fifteen years separate these milestones, precisely the period during which the BBCS has established itself as an important platform for advancing breast cancer research in Brazil.
Beyond the numbers, this achievement reflects the dedication of researchers, physicians, students, institutions, and research groups from across Brazil. It also recognizes those who believe that science must be continuously nurtured, encouraged, and valued.
Just as the Cerrado teaches us that fertility depends not only on natural conditions but also on the care devoted to the land, the history of the BBCS demonstrates that Brazilian science flourishes when opportunities, collaboration, and commitment come together.
Fifteen years later, what began as an initiative to encourage research has evolved into an established movement fostering academic collaboration and scientific advancement. And in Goiânia, the Cerrado continues to flourish.
Ruffo Freitas-Junior, MD, PhD
Leonardo Ribeiro Soares, MD, PhD
School of Medicine and Advanced Breast Disease Center (CORA)
Federal University of Goiás, Brazil
