A Steering Committee was formed in 1995 with a view to form an Australian Society of Senology (ie. breast disease), based on the concept of a need to provide a multidisciplinary society which would bring together individuals interested in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research into aspects of breast disease.

The Steering Committee consisted of Dr Cherrell Hirst (Chair), Dr Michael Bilous, Dr John Boyages, Dr Colin Furnival, Dr Jack Jellins, and Dr Mary Rickard.

A number of similar societies were in existence in different countries but no comparable group was present in Australia. The formation of such a society in Australasia was encouraged by the Senologic International Society (SIS) which had shown that a multidisciplinary approach to breast disease provided the best medical management for the patient.

On the recommendations of the Steering Committee, the Australasian Society for Breast Disease (ASBD) was established in 1997 to provide a multidisciplinary forum for discussion on the prevention, detection, diagnosis and management of breast disease and research into this area of medicine.

Dr Cherrell Hirst from Brisbane was the first President of the Society, and the inaugural scientific meeting was held in September 1998 at the Marriott Surfers Paradise Resort on the Gold Coast in Queensland. More than 200 registrants attended the Meeting, and the speakers covered a variety of topics devoted to developing best practice in the medical management of patients with breast disease.

To date, scientific meetings have been held biennially. See the Meetings page for details.

In 2004, the Australasian Society for Breast Disease was accepted as an Honorary Member of the Scientific Centers Network of the Senologic International Society, and this will enable the Australasian Society for Breast Disease to participate and collaborate to a greater extent in international activities relevant to improving the management of breast disease. 

Membership benefits of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease include a print subscription to and / or online access to full text articles of The Breast, a peer reviewed, bimonthly journal published by Elsevier.

In 2016 at the Strategic Planning Meeting on 13th February it was decided to launch a new level of ASBD membership, to be inclusive of the whole multidisciplinary team. The level of Associate Member was introduced for nursing, allied health, trainees and registrars. The membership has a heavily discounted membership fee, online journal access, conference registration discounts but no voting rights.

In 2017 the Australasian Society for Breast Disease celebrated 20 years at the 11th Scienitfic Meeting. Read about it here.

Dr Yvonne Zissiadis was elected as the Senologic International Society vice-president Oceania in 2019. Dr Zissiadis will attend the 21st World Congress of the Senologic International Society in Greece in 2020, representing the Australasian Society for Breast Disease.

 

Scientific Meetings

Joint Conferences

Courses and Workshops

Annual General Meetings

 

Scientific Meetings - programs

Thirteenth Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease 
14-16 September 2023
Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia

Conference Report

Conference Program

Twelfth Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease 
10-12 October, 2019
RACV Royal pines Resort, Gold Coast, QLD

Conference Report

Conference Program

Eleventh Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
5-7 October 2017
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast, QLD

Conference Report

Conference Program

Tenth Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
17-19 September 2015
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Ninth Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
12-14 September 2013
Cairns Convention and Exhibition Centre, QLD

Eighth Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
6-8 October 2011
Hilton on the Park, Melbourne

Seventh Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
1-3 October 2009
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast

Sixth Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
27-29 September 2007
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast

Fifth Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
22-24 September 2005
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast

Fourth Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
18-20 September 2003
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast

Third Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
20-22 September 2001
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast

Second Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
17-18 September 1999
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast

Inaugural Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Breast Disease
4-5 September 1998
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast

 

Joint Conferences

 Melbourne International Joint Breast Congress - jointly with BreastSurgANZ and the Controversies in Breast Cancer group
11-13 October 2018
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

2nd Australasian Breast Congress - jointly with BreastSurgANZ
7-10 July 2016
The Langham & North Shore Hospital Auckland, New Zealand

 

Australasian Breast Congress - jointly with BreastSurgANZ
9-11 October 2014
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort

Looking to the Future - A Practical Meeting on the Breast
8-10 July 2010
The Langham Auckland, New Zealand

The Port Douglas Primer
29 September - 1 October 2006
Sea Temple Resort & Spa, Port Douglas

 

Courses and Workshops

Applied Ultrasound for Clinicians 2019

Applied Ultrasound for Clinicians 2018

Applied Ultrasound for Clinicians 2017

Applied Ultrasound for Clinicians 2016

Applied Ultrasound for Clinicians 2015

Level II Oncoplastic Surgery Cadaveric Workshop - jointly with BreastSurgANZ
8-9 October 2014
Holy Spirit Northside Hospital & MERF lab, Chermside

Applied Ultrasound for Clinicians 2013

ASBD Surgical Workshop - Improving outcomes in breast disease - optimising diagnosis and optimising surgery
13-15 June 2008
Sydney Harbour Marriott, Circular Quay, Sydney, Australia

 

Annual General Meetings

Friday 15 September 2023, Adelaide Convention Centre

Thursday 14 October 2022, Brisbane Convention Centre, Brisbane Qld

Thursday 14th October 2021, Via Zoom

Friday 28th October 2020,  Via Zoom

Friday 11th October 2019, RACV Roya Pines Resort, Benowa Gold Coast

Saturday 13th October 2018, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Vic

Saturday 7 October 2017, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast, Qld

Friday 28 October 2016, Fairmont Resort, Leura, NSW

Saturday 19 September 2015, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Qld

Saturday 11 October 2014, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast, Qld

Friday 10 September 2013, Cairns Convention and Exhibition Centre, Qld

Friday 26 October 2012, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, NSW

Saturday 8 October 2011, Hilton on the Park, Melbourne

Saturday 10 July 2010, The Langham Auckland, New Zealand

Saturday 3 October 2009, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast, Qld

Friday 19 September 2008, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, NSW

Saturday 29 September 2007, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast, Qld

Sunday 1 October 2006, Sea Temple Resort and Spa, Port Douglas, Qld 2006 AGM Memo

Saturday 24 September 2005, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast, Qld

Friday 12 November 2004, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, NSW

Saturday 20 September 2003, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast, Qld

Thursday 28 November 2002, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, NSW

Saturday 22 September 2001, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast, Qld

Saturday 18 November 2000, Peppers Fairmont Resort, Leura, Blue Mountains, NSW

Saturday 18 September 1999, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast, Qld

Saturday 5 September 1998, Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort, Gold Coast, Qld

Membership to the Society is not limited. However, the membership of the Executive is specifically defined so as to include representation from the major medical disciplines within the field of breast disease and also to provide for representation for membership from other discipline areas. The Australasian Society for Breast Disease Constitution states that the mandatory disciplines to be represented on the Executive are medical oncology, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology, surgery, breast medicine and allied health.

March 2024: ASBD Directors met in Sydney

L to R: Nick Repin, Kerry Eyles, Gelareh Farshid, Marcus Dreosti, Elisabeth Elder, Cathy Phillips, Peter Chin, Cameron Snell, Jenny O'Sullivan, Maree Colosimo, Jenny Gilchrist . Absent: Susan Carroll, Parisa Aminzadeh, Sanjeev Kumar.

23 Feb 2020: ASBD Directors attended the 2020 Strategic Planning Meeting, coming together in Sydney just before the first COVID outbreaks in Australia. No-one relaised how long it would be before we would see each other in person again.

27 Feb 2021: Sydney based ASBD Directors met at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse while directors from Brisbane, Perth and New Zealand joined via Zoom.
 

Executive Committee composition as at September 2024: 

Dr Peter Chin	President	Surgery (NZ)
Dr Nicholas Repin	Treasurer	Radiology
Dr Samriti Sood		Surgery
Dr Jennifer O'Sullivan	Secretary	Breast Physician
Dr Cameron Snell		Pathology
Associate Professor Susan Caroll		Radiation Oncology
Dr Susan Grayson		Radiology
Dr Sanjeev Kumar		Medical Oncology
Dr Maree Colosimo		Medical Oncology
Jenny Gilchrist		Nursing
Professor Gelareh Farshid		Pathology
Dr Angela Allen		Radiation Oncology
Ms Kerry Eyles	Executive Officer

Previous Executive Committee members 

Dr Geoffrey Beadle, Medical Oncologist (2001-2005; Secretary/Treasurer 2003-2005; co-opted 2005-2007)
Dr Nalini Bhola, Radiologist (2017-2018)
A/Prof Michael Bilous, Pathologist (1997-2001)
Dr Natacha Borecky, Radiologist (2006-2011, co-opted 2004-2006)
A/Prof John Boyages, Radiation Oncologist (1997-2001; co-opted 2001-2002)
A/Prof Meagan Brennan, Breast Physician (2013-2017; Treasurer 2015-2017)
Dr Reuben Broom, Medical Oncologist co-opted (2016-2017)
Dr Marie-Frances Burke, Radiation Oncologist (2004-2010, Treasurer / Secretary 2005-2009; co-opted 2003-2004, 2009-2011)
Dr Jacqueline Chirgwin, Medical Oncologist (co-opted 2009-2011)
Dr Patty Connor, Radiologist (2019 -2022)
Dr Daniel de Viana, Surgeon (2008-2017, President 2011-2015)
Dr Roslyn Drummond, Radiation Oncologist (2009-2015)
Dr Susan Fraser, Breast Physician (2009- 2015)
Dr James French, Surgeon, (2013-2016, co-opted 2012-2016)
Prof Michael Friedlander Medical Oncologist (co-opted 2007-2009)
Dr Colin Furnival, Surgeon (1997-1999; co-opted 1999-2001)
Prof Michael Green, Medical Oncologist (1997-2001; co-opted 2001-2003)
A/Prof Bruno Giuffre, Radiologist (2010- 2015)
Mr Richard Harman, Surgeon (2015-2017)
Prof Jennet Harvey, Pathologist (2001-2009; President 2005-2007; co-opted 2008-2009)
Dr Cherrell Hirst, (1997-2000; President 1997-1999)
A/Prof Nehmat Houssami, Breast Physician/Clinical Epidemiologist (2001-2009; co-opted 2009-2010)
Ms Elspeth Humphries, (BCNA Representative, co-opted 2001-2003) 
Dr Michael Izard, Radiation Oncologist (2001-2005, co-opted 2005-2007)
A/Prof Jack Jellins, Scientist (1997-2002; Secretary/Treasurer 1997-2001; co-opted 2002-2005)
Mr Wayne Jones, Surgeon (2013-2014; co-opted 2012-2013)
Prof Bogda Koczwara, Medical Oncologist 
Mr James Kollias, Surgeon (2002-2009; co-opted 2009-2010)
Prof Sunil Lakhani, Pathologist (2011-2015) 
Dr Warwick Lee, Radiologist (2001-2009; President 2003-2005; co-opted 2009-2010)
Dr Julia Leeds, BCNA Representative (co-opted 2008-2011)
Ms Veronica Macaulay-Cross, (BCNA Representative, co-opted 2004-2006)
Dr Lynne Mann, Surgeon (2005-2010, co-opted 2003-2005, 2009-2011)
Mr William McLeay, Surgeon (1997-2001, co-opted 2001-2003)
Dr Kerry McMahon, Radiologist, (2009 - 2016, Secretary/Treasurer (2009-2015)
Ms Lyn Moore, (BCNA Representative, co-opted 2006-2007)
A/Prof Nirmala Pathmanathan, Pathologist, (2014 - 2021)
Dr Debbie Pfeiffer, Breast Physician (2016-2017)
Dr Margaret Pooley, Surgeon (1999-2003; President 2001-2003; co-opted 2003-2006)
Dr Reena Ramsaroop, Pathologist (2015-2019; co-opted 2014)
A/Prof Wendy Raymond, Pathologist (2005-2015)
Dr Michelle Reintals, Radiologist ( 2013-2018)
A/Prof Mary Rickard, Radiologist (1997-2004; President 1999-2001; co-opted 2004-2007)
Dr Belinda Scott, Surgeon (2008-2012; co-opted 2008-2010)
Dr Catherine Shannon, Medical Oncologist (2012 -2020; co-opted 2012-2014, secretary 2018-2020)
Prof Robin Stuart-Harris, Medical Oncologist (2004-2012; President 2007-2010; co-opted 2004-2005)
A/Prof Donna Taylor, Radiologist (2016-2017)
Prof Shih-Chang (Ming) Wang, Radiologist (co-opted 2011-2012)
Dr Yvonne Zissiadis, Radiation Oncologist (2012-2021; co-opted 2012, President 2016-2019, Vice President 2020-2021)

Mission

To strive to improve outcomes for patients with breast disease by fostering education and multidisciplinary collaboration and in so doing to be recognised as the premier multidisciplinary society for breast disease in Australia and New Zealand.

Aims

• Bring together individuals wherever in Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific rim countries, having the purpose of promoting better knowledge in biology, medicine and human sciences related to the breast in order to establish an Australasian society, with the intention of advancing multidisciplinary understanding and cooperation in the areas of prevention, detection, diagnosis and management of breast disease.
• Promote and encourage scientific research and publications related to the purposes of the Society.
• Instil an increased consciousness within the medical and lay communities with regard to breast disease, by using available means of education, information and publicity.
• Cooperate with relevant international associations, societies, other groups and individuals to promote the purposes of the Society.

Strategic Plan 2024-2026

VISION  Better breast health outcomes in Australia and New Zealand.

PURPOSE  We support health professionals to achieve better health outcomes

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES	Enhance cross disciplinary breast healthcare professional education.		Foster cross disciplinary collaboration.
STRATEGIES	Host Cross Disciplinary Education Events: Organise innovative events, including biennial ASBD Scientific meetings and larger, co-shared meetings with related associations every alternate year, to foster conversations and professional networking. Includes supporting professional well-being. Build Professional Competency and Knowledge: Enhance Online Educational Access by improving or collaborating with platforms to provide online courses, webinars, and more, catering specifically to breast disease healthcare professionals. Keep Members Up-To-Date:  Use engaging, and useful newsletters to keep members informed about the latest research and opportunities.		Strengthen Cross Disciplinary Engagement: We will support effective online and face-to-face engagement by establishing communities for member communications, networking, idea-sharing and innovative solutions. Create peer groups for sharing experiences and solutions, promoting a culture of supportive, continuous learning. Facilitate Cross Disciplinary Projects including Research: Bring together professionals from different disciplines to work on specific projects, research, or initiatives that Advance Breast Cancer treatment, research and professional development.   Leverage Partnerships to Create Impact: Strengthen ties with societies focused on breast disease education and treatment.
OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES	Digitally  Enabled	Effective Engagement	Productive Team	Financial Sustainability	Great Governance
OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES	Train staff on practical AI tools. Adopt AI and digital tools to improve efficiency and member outcomes.	Personalised communication techniques. Enhance the website for better user experience Nurture volunteering pathways. Grow members by implementing recruitment and retention strategies. Target specialists, allied health professionals, and GPs across Australia and New Zealand.	Ensure sufficient staff resources to execute. Effective succession planning.	Leverage existing revenue sources more effectively.  Build high value partnerships	Implement clear succession planning. Ensure active board participation for success Review membership/ business model.