35th Annual Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference (NCoBC 2026)

35th Annual Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference is organized by National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC), Inc. and will be held from Mar 28 - 30, 2026 at Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.

Core Competencies
In alignment with the CME mission of the National Consortium of Breast Centers programs are planned in the context of desirable physician attributes and core competencies (six abilities that are central to the practice of medicine): 1. Patient Care 2. Medical Knowledge 3. Practice Based Learning 4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills 5. Professionalism 6. Systems Based Practice as designated by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Core competencies addressed in each of the activity objectives below, this shall serve the best interests of the public and assist in maintenance of certification.

Conference Objectives:

• Define revenue and quality metrics essential for the sustainability and performance of comprehensive breast cancer programs, with attention to value-based care.
• Evaluate data-driven strategies for engaging patient populations based on local demographic and social determinants of health, with a focus on addressing access barrier in underserved communities.
• Recognize the correlation between quality improvement initiatives and enhanced patient/provider satisfaction, and analyze examples of how specific efforts (e.g., streamlined navigation, survivorship services) improve clinical outcomes and experience metrics.
• Identify and interpret key variables contributing to breast cancer risk assessments, including dense breast tissue, high-risk lesions, genetic predisposition, and family history.
• Examine unique risk factors and breast cancer screening gaps within Military and Veterans Affairs populations, and discuss tailored approaches to improving care delivery in these systems.
• Discuss the importance of diverse and representative participation in clinical trials related to hereditary and metastatic breast cancer, and identify strategies to overcome enrollment barriers.
• Recognize symptoms and imaging characteristics of breast changes that should prompt timely clinical evaluation, including inflammatory signs, nipple discharge, or palpable abnormalities.
• Identify current indications and limitations for the use of breast MRI in screening, particularly for high-risk and dense-breasted populations, and discuss challenges in implementation.
• Apply management guidelines for abnormal breast findings, considering laterality, timing, imaging modality selection, and follow-up protocols.
• Incorporate resilience-building practices and wellness strategies to sustain high-performance, high-compassion clinical environments, especially in high-volume breast centers.
• Advance technical expertise ("knobology") in optimizing imaging performance, including ultrasound settings, patient positioning, and image quality improvements.
• Describe emerging roles for artificial intelligence (AI) in breast imaging, and evaluate its potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, workflow, and clinical decision-making.
• Reflect on the impact of personal health experiences ("becoming the patient") on professional empathy, communication, and care delivery practices.
• Review current surgical approaches to managing nipple discharge, including indications for excision versus observation.
• Compare the advantages and limitations of abbreviated MRI protocols for supplemental breast cancer screening, including cost-effectiveness and accessibility.
• Assess the risks and benefits associated with molecular breast imaging (MBI), including radiation exposure considerations and clinical applications.
• Demonstrate understanding of key components in provider reimbursement contracts, and advocate for fair compensation models that align with team-based breast care delivery.
• Identify communication strategies for delivering complex or uncertain results, such as variants of unknown significance, incidental findings, or multigene panel outcomes.
• Describe procedural challenges in ultrasound-guided interventions and present a framework for intralesional steroid injections in benign and inflammatory breast conditions.
• Demonstrate methods for effective team collaboration across disciplines and care transitions, ensuring continuity and coordination from diagnosis to survivorship.
• Understand safety protocols and imaging best practices for pregnant and lactating patients, balancing diagnostic needs with fetal and maternal health considerations.
• Evaluate the risks, benefits, and patient selection criteria for cryoablation in breast lesions, including its role in alternative treatment pathways.
• Address persistent misconceptions in oncofertility and discuss disparities in access to fertility preservation, particularly among younger patients and communities of color.
• Describe current trends, protocols, and quality control measures in the remote reading and management of mammography exams, including legal and clinical implications.