I am Norikazu Masuda, who was appointed as a professor of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University as of April 1, 2024. I would like to say a few words to mark the occasion of my new appointment.

In 1993, I graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Osaka University. During my surgical training at affiliated hospitals, I developed an interest in breast cancer, that extended from diagnosis to surgery and drug therapy, and allowed me to develop long-term relationships with each patient. Since then, I have continued to develop my expertise in this field. In 2001, I established team medical care at the Breast Center in Sakai Municipal Hospital. In 2003, I assumed a position at the National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, where I engaged in clinical research, including clinical trials and new drug development trials, with the aim of developing new and better treatments. I experienced several clinical trials and investigator-initiated studies that mainly focused on personalizing treatment according to the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy. I was also involved in expanding indications of pharmaceutical products in Japan. In October 2021, I was given the opportunity to be the first professor in Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine. There, I experienced academia activities in terms of education and research, in addition to continuously engaging in medical practice. Rather than being satisfied with the standard treatment in the guidelines, I consider that our mission is to seek the best treatment for each patient. In order to realize this, I have been raising awareness of the need to actively engage in clinical trials and new drug development trials which would provide solutions.

Collaboration among multiple facilities is essential in conducting clinical research. I have played a central role in national organizations such as JBCRG (Japan Breast Cancer Research Group) and JCOG as well as in the regional activities of KBCSG-TR (Kinki Breast Cancer Study Group-Translational Research) in Osaka during the time in my previous position. From now on, I will also collaborate with KBCRN (Kyoto Breast Cancer Research Network), which mainly comprises hospitals affiliated with Kyoto University, to generate new evidence.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. As the most frequent age of onset is between 40 and 60 years old, it is a disease that is attracting a great deal of social attention. Advances in treatment methods have improved treatment outcomes, with a 5-year survival rate of more than 90%. While aiming to conquer breast cancer, it is expected that personalized, optimal treatments will become available by considering a balance between surgery and drug therapy in individual patients, from the perspective of escalation and de-escalation of treatment. In order to achieve this goal, I believe that the integration of clinical and basic research is an urgent priority.

I am committed to training excellent breast specialists for the future by practicing education and research with the focus on patient-centered care, in which clinicians communicate treatment options to patients openly and think together with them. Since this is an area where the number of specialists is still insufficient to cater to more complex medical systems and the increasing number of patients, it is my hope that many young doctors with an interest in multidisciplinary medical care that includes diagnosis and surgery as well as breast oncology will come together. 

The Breast Surgery division of Kyoto University became an independent department in 2006. Since 2007, the first professor, Dr Masakazu Toi, has promoted pioneering medical treatment, international research, and educational activities, and has produced many excellent breast specialists, all of which are highly regarded both in Japan and internationally. While I am very honored to be appointed as his successor, at the same time, I feel a great sense of responsibility. I respectfully ask for your continued support, guidance and encouragement.