For ten years, the pursuit of progress has never stopped.
Editor’s Note: In April 2016, a pink seed took root in Beijing with the launch of preparations for the Breast Cancer Committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO BC). Driven by vision, dedication, and perseverance, a group of Chinese physicians came together to support and empower patients with breast cancer through science, compassion, and unwavering commitment to care.From the release of the very first “pocket-sized” guideline handbook to the implementation of AI-powered clinical decision systems; from following international standards to leading academic development across Asia and amplifying China’s voice on the global stage—through a decade of challenges and achievements, CSCO BC has not only witnessed the remarkable progress of breast cancer care in China, but has also personally helped write this extraordinary chapter in the history of Chinese oncology.
Today, on April 10, 2026, the National Breast Cancer Conference officially opens, marking yet another milestone for both CSCO BC and the advancement of breast cancer care in China. At this important historical moment, we look back on the organization’s defining milestones over the past decade, regroup with renewed purpose, and set sail once again toward the future.
2016–2017: Born at the Right Time — Building China’s “National Team” for Breast Cancer Care
Keywords: Launch, First Guidelines
In April 2016, as CSCO celebrated its 20th anniversary, preparations officially began for the establishment of the CSCO Breast Cancer Committee following approval from the parent organization.
On April 7, 2017, the CSCO BC Committee was formally established in Beijing, with Professor Zefei Jiang serving as the inaugural Chair. This milestone marked the beginning of a dedicated “flagship team” leading the standardization of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in China.
On the very day of its establishment, the first edition of the CSCO Breast Cancer Guidelines was officially released. Affectionately known by physicians and patients alike as the “pocket guide,” the publication broke down the traditional barriers associated with complex clinical guidelines that were often difficult to interpret or implement. By balancing evidence-based medicine with the realities of Chinese clinical practice, it provided China’s breast cancer community with its own practical “roadmap” for patient care.
2018–2019: Advancing Through Evidence — Leading Standardization and Scientific Innovation
Keywords: Nationwide Educational Tours, Chinese Data
In April 2018, the CSCO Breast Cancer Annual Meeting and Beijing Breast Cancer Summit Forum were successfully held in Beijing. As the first national annual conference since the committee’s establishment, the event attracted leading experts from both China and abroad.
That same year, CSCO BC expanded its nationwide educational lecture program, bringing standardized treatment concepts to grassroots hospitals across the country. The voice and influence of the CSCO BC Guidelines rapidly spread nationwide.
In April 2019, the CSCO BC database continued to expand, surpassing 50,000 documented cases and providing a robust foundation of “Chinese data” for real-world breast cancer research in China.
In November 2019, the international journal Translational Breast Cancer Research (TBCR) was officially launched. As China’s first international open-access English-language journal dedicated to breast cancer research, TBCR created an important platform for researchers worldwide to share clinical data and scientific experience.
2020–2021: Breaking Through in the Cloud Era — Frontline Leadership During the Pandemic
Keywords: COVID-19 Response, Virtual Launches, The First Year of AI
The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CSCO BC experts acted quickly by launching the “ALL FOR HER” online consultation initiative and the “Direct Connection to Hubei” public welfare program, creating critical lifelines for patients unable to leave their homes.
That same year, the CSCO AI for BC intelligent decision-support system was officially introduced, ushering in a new era of AI-assisted breast cancer care in China.
On April 10, 2020, CSCO BC innovatively adopted a virtual format to release the updated guidelines and launch its nationwide educational activities. The new edition placed greater emphasis on “China’s contributions,” with domestically developed innovative agents such as pyrotinib and chidamide receiving Category I recommendations.
In September 2021, during the CSCO Annual Meeting, the Chinese Expert Consensus on COVID-19 Vaccination for Breast Cancer Patients was released. Amid ongoing pandemic conditions, CSCO BC rapidly assembled experts to address one of patients’ most urgent concerns: “Can I safely receive the vaccine?” The initiative demonstrated not only scientific leadership, but also profound humanistic care and social responsibility.
2022–2023: Inheriting Innovation — The Continuous Evolution of China’s Treatment Strategies
Keywords: Leadership Transition, Novel Therapies, Patient Education
In April 2022, the CSCO BC Guidelines were updated as scheduled. The new edition emphasized the concept of “stratified treatment” and introduced the intelligent version of the guidelines through the CSCO AI for BC platform. This transformed the guidelines from a static annual publication into a dynamic, continuously updated intelligent tool capable of integrating newly approved therapies and reimbursement policies in real time.
In June 2022, CSCO BC successfully completed its leadership transition, with Academician Erwei Song elected as Chair of the third committee, continuing the organization’s academic legacy and spirit of collaboration.
That year, the guidelines incorporated a growing number of emerging therapies, including ADCs, ICIs, TKIs, and CDK4/6 inhibitors. The CSCO AI system also introduced a “simulated clinical training” function to support the development of young physicians. By then, the platform had expanded to 107 cities across 29 provinces and generated tens of thousands of clinical decision-support reports.
In August 2022, the Expert Consensus on the Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases was published in TBCR, bringing together multidisciplinary expertise to address one of the most challenging complications in breast cancer management.
In December 2022, CSCO BC and the Patient Education Expert Committee jointly launched the Patient Edition Guidelines, offering breast cancer patients a version of the guidelines that was accessible and easy to understand.
2024–2025: A Strong Global Presence — Showcasing Chinese Expertise WorldwideKeywords: Global Outreach, Voice of China
At the 2024 CSCO Annual Meeting, the Expert Consensus on the Clinical Application of Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer was officially released. The document integrated 15 evidence-based recommendations aimed at establishing a scientific and systematic framework for the clinical use of immunotherapy.
Over time, CSCO BC developed an extensive “matrix” of guidelines and consensus statements, with its influence continuing to expand internationally. Beginning in December 2024, CSCO BC experts traveled to Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore to conduct overseas guideline lecture programs, bringing China’s breast cancer treatment strategies to the international community.
In August 2025, the Expert Consensus on HER2-Positive Breast Cancer was renamed the Expert Consensus on HER2-Targeted Breast Cancer. The updated document introduced precise treatment recommendations for the emerging HER2-low subtype and established new treatment pathways.
In March 2025, the St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference partnered with CSCO BC to host the “Voice of China” special session. Chinese breast cancer experts stepped into the global spotlight at one of the world’s most prestigious academic platforms for early breast cancer, sharing China’s experience and expertise with an international audience.
In April 2025, during the CSCO BC Annual Meeting, the two academic organizations again collaborated to present “Best of St. Gallen 2025,” featuring dynamic exchanges and in-depth discussions between SGBCC experts and Chinese specialists.
2026: Setting Sail Once Again — The National Breast Cancer Conference Opens
Keywords: New Starting Point, New Journey
In April 2026, the National Breast Cancer Conference convened once again with a strong focus on cutting-edge advances and the release of the updated CSCO BC Guidelines and the Chinese Breast Cancer Guidelines 2026, establishing new standards for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in China.
2026 and Beyond: Charting the Future of Healthy China
Keywords: 10th Anniversary, New Productive Forces in Medicine
Standing at the threshold of its 10th anniversary, CSCO BC shows no signs of slowing down.
From an initial group of several dozen experts to today’s multidisciplinary network spanning surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and pathology; from a single slim guideline booklet to a comprehensive “guideline family” that now includes standard, intelligent, patient-oriented, and English-language editions—CSCO BC has transformed the landscape of breast cancer care in China.
What has changed over the past decade?
We transformed the treatment landscape by enabling standardized care to take root across the country.
We narrowed the distance between China and the world, evolving from learners into contributors.
We changed the lives of patients, helping countless Chinese families overcome the fear of breast cancer.
Everything achieved so far is only the beginning.
Over the next decade, CSCO BC will continue to uphold its founding principles of academic excellence, standardization, and public service. By advancing precision medicine, artificial intelligence, and innovative drug development, the organization will continue forging ahead and contributing to the realization of the Healthy China 2030 vision.
