All-male breast surgery panel prompts criticism from senior doctors

Senior doctors have criticised the absence of women from a 14-member panel at the London Breast Meeting, describing the image as a troubling reflection of continuing gender inequality in surgery.

The panel appeared at an international conference bringing together specialists in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Although women participated elsewhere in the meeting, the particular session attracting criticism featured an entirely male line-up.

Professor Stella Vig, a consultant surgeon and former Royal College of Surgeons council member, was among those drawing attention to the panel. Other senior clinicians, including former Royal College of Physicians president Dame Jane Dacre, questioned how an all-male group could still be assembled at a major medical event in 2026.

Criticism focused not on the qualifications of the speakers but on the visibility of women in senior surgical and academic roles. Doctors argued that conference panels influence who is recognised as an expert, who gains professional exposure and what younger clinicians believe is achievable within their careers.

The London Breast Meeting describes itself as an international event for surgeons to discuss new strategies, techniques and innovation. Its 2026 programme focused on preventing problems in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery and included speakers from across the world.

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