In 2015 there were more than 15 million people diagnosed with cancer globally, and 80% of them underwent a surgical operation during their life. These procedures are highly specialised, and need to be performed in a multidisciplinary environment by surgical specialists in cancer care. The safety and quality of cancer surgery are therefore essential.

The Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology is at the origin of this video which focuses on the positive impact of specialised cancer surgery to ensure the best possible patient outcomes, especially in combination with other treatment modalities.

The video highlights the need to inform patients for a better prevention and early diagnosis, to invest in surgery research and surgeons’ professional education, and to encourage innovation in cancer treatments and technology. 

With over 35 years of experience, the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) is the only European Society dedicated to this discipline.

By carrying out a wide range of activities including education, research and leadership in multidisciplinary care, ESSO supports its over 4,000 members (representing a larger worldwide community of over 16,000 surgeons with oncology as a specialty) in advancing the science and practice of surgical oncology for the benefit of cancer patients.

ESSO's vision is to foster progress in surgical oncology at the European level, and to contribute to the continuous improvement of cancer treatment quality, accessibility and innovation. To this end, ESSO aims to elevate the current standards of care for cancer patients through its core values, education, homogenisation of skills, quality and ultimately qualification.

To learn more about ESSO, please visit www.essoweb.org.