Enhanced Skills Program: Breast Diseases

The Breast Diseases Program at the University of Toronto is a 6-month Residency Program designed to provide family physicians with the skill set to diagnose and manage benign diseases of the breast. This training program provides enrichment in the areas of breast cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, management and survivorship care. Family physicians who complete this program will acquire skills necessary to be a community resource as a general practitioner in oncology within Breast Disease, and leader in breast disease detection, management, education and research.

Program Director:
Dr. Orli Shachar MD, CCFP
Women's College Hospital
76 Grenville St., Toronto ON M5S 1B2

Length of Program: Six Months (26 weeks) - Full Time

Program and Application Eligibility

Applicant must be a Canadian citizen and currently enrolled as a PGY2 in a Canadian family medicine residency at the time of application. 

N.B.: Those enrolled in a PGY3 Enhanced Skills Program at the time of application are NOT eligible to apply to another PGY3 Enhanced Skills position.

For funding eligibility, please see the main Enhanced Skills Program Admissions page.

Curriculum Competencies

The Breast Diseases Residency Program adheres to CanMEDS-FM goals and objectives to achieve the following competencies:

  • Medical Expert
  • Communicator
  • Collaborator
  • Leader
  • Scholar
  • Health Advocate
  • Professional

For complete details, please read the goals and objectives.

See program curriculum map.

Sample Rotation

One month each:

  • Diagnostics - Pathology, Radiology, Rapid Diagnostic Program, Benign Breast GP-Oncology clinics
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Medical Oncology
  • Radiation Oncology and Plastics Reconstructive Surgery
  • Palliative Care, Survivorship Care
  • Elective

Unique Program Requirements

Trainees are expected to attend weekly tumour board and radiology review rounds.

A small academic project is a required component of this program.

Apply