The ESMO Breast Cancer Congress, which was held in Munich from 14 to 17 May 2025, was a resounding success. The city welcomed approximately 3,600 attendees from around the globe, making it the largest ESMO Breast Cancer Congress to date.
The ESMO Breast Cancer Congress, which was held in Munich from 14 to 17 May 2025, was a resounding success. The city welcomed approximately 3,600 attendees from around the globe, making it the largest ESMO Breast Cancer Congress to date.
Professor Dr. Nadia Harbeck heads up the Breast Center and the Oncology Outpatients' Clinic run by the Women's Clinic at the Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) in Munich. She is also a member of the ESMO Breast Cancer Faculty, Subject Editor Breast Cancer for the ESMO Guidelines and ESMO Director of Education.
In this interview, she tells us why this congress is so important to her and what the highlight of the congress was for her.
The ESMO Breast Cancer Congress is of enormous importance to our field as it provides a platform for professionals from around the world to discuss the latest scientific advances in breast cancer research and treatment. The exchange of information and knowledge and networking with colleagues is crucial to improving patient outcomes.
My personal highlight was the fact that the WSG's (Westdeutsche Studiengruppe) ADAPTcycle study was selected as a proffered paper. The study, with over 5,000 patients, demonstrates for the first time that we can replace chemotherapy for early hormone-sensitive breast cancer with an anti-hormonal therapy-based treatment. It was an honor for me to be able to present this paper as the head of study.
The Bavaria Congress Initiative's commitment to provide funding indicates not only how important this type of event is for the region but also a strong commitment to supporting the exchange information and knowledge in the medical field. This support makes it possible to organize high-quality congresses that not only provide information about scientific findings but also serve to enhance our city as a leading venue for events in the field of medicine. I'm delighted that we were able to bring the ESMO Breast Cancer Congress to my home city of Munich.
Thanks to its outstanding infrastructure and high level of medical research and expertise, Munich is ideal for hosting this type of congress. The large rooms available at the ICM, the light-filled exhibition space, catering and state-of-the-art technology all serve to make it the perfect venue for the congress. The city offers easy access to public transport, both regional and international, which is very important to those attending.
I think that the English Garden is Munich's green centerpiece. It's the perfect place to relax and unwind in the middle of the city. The English Garden is a must for anyone attending a congress – regardless of whether they want to take a walk or enjoy a beer in the beer garden. I myself lived not far from it for a long time.
I really enjoy going to the Seehaus restaurant with my foreign colleagues. It's not only known for its exceptional location but also for its delicious food, warm hospitality and stylish ambiance. An absolute delight!
A visit to Schliersee, a natural lake in upper Bavaria. The beautiful landscape, regional hospitality and relaxed atmosphere extend an enticing invitation to enjoy activities like hiking or cycling. It's the perfect place to enjoy nature and relax after the stress of a congress.
