Читать книгу Constitutional Oncogenetics - Noureddine Boukhatem - Страница 10

Foreword

I know Professor Noureddine Boukhatem from Mohamed I University in Morocco well, and I have been able to appreciate during his visits, since 2017, to my oncogenetics department at the Centre Jean-Perrin in Clermont-Ferrand his human qualities, his commitment and his enthusiasm for oncogenetics. A “Tour de France” of major oncogenetic consultations has enabled him to have an informed and multidisciplinary view of modern oncogenetics.

Oncogenetics is defined as the management of families presenting a suspected hereditary risk of cancer, which is considered to be the cancer risk factor with by far the highest predictive value. The discovery of the first hereditary cancer risk genes in the late 1980s (TP53 and RB1 genes) provided doctors with a diagnostic tool that was essential to the practice of oncogenetics. The high predictive value of these genetic tests enables the physician to implement screening measures for individuals and families at high risk of cancer in order to improve the prognosis when cancer occurs, but also to implement preventive measures for high-risk cancers whenever possible in order to reduce their incidence.

Oncogenetics came into existence about 30 years ago in a few countries, including France, which in 1991 created the Génétique et Cancer (Genetics and Cancer) group, which structured the national organization of oncogenetics through the implementation of the first consultations in Clermont-Ferrand, then in Lyon and then in Paris. It was not until 2002–2003 that the first cancer plan led to the creation of the Institut national du cancer (French National Cancer Institute), which then officially supported oncogenetic activities, first in the molecular diagnosis laboratory, then in consultation and then in the monitoring of people at high risk of cancer. From this support, a territorial network was set up to provide effective care for families at high risk of cancer. France has thus become a model of organization at the national level of oncogenetics.

Oncogenetics has developed mainly in Europe and North America. Unfortunately, this discipline remains elementary or reserved for a fortuitous and educated elite in many countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. This is why Professor Noureddine Boukhatem’s approach to writing a book on oncogenetics is valuable and useful for the medical community. He has produced an encyclopedic work with a concise presentation and an extensive bibliography, highly useful as a reference. This work is thus strongly recommended for oncogenetic doctors or students who are going to practice medical genetics.

Yves-Jean BIGNON

Director of the oncogenetics department

Centre Jean-Perrin in Clermont-Ferrand

October 2020