"It is impossible to be familiar with a science without knowing its history,” wrote August Comte, as cited by Jean Louis Misset, a colleague of Georges Mathé, the pioneer of Medical Oncology in France.
We currently inhabit an era marked by a relentless focus on the present and the future, often at the expense of neglecting the lessons of the past. Present-day oncological discourse tends to prioritize recent advancements without duly acknowledging past breakthroughs that have reshaped our understanding and treatment of cancer. Given the undeniable link between past achievements in oncology and present clinical practices, we contend that studying the history of progressive advancements can be instructive for young oncologists entering the field and beneficial for the general public interested in the subject.
Why, then, should we focus particularly on the European history of Oncology, and why through an online platform? Many of the significant discoveries in cancer research have emanated from Europe and the United States, often with mutual influence. The substantial investments in cancer research in the United States, particularly through initiatives like Richard Nixon's 'war on cancer,' may mistakenly lead to the belief that North American achievements have overwhelmingly dominated fields such as Surgery, Radiotherapy, Medical Oncology, and Translational Research. However, there are notable differences in the nature of scientific contributions between Europe and the USA. Factors such as Europe's robust public healthcare systems and culture of solidarity have fostered research on public health strategies alongside clinical and experimental studies. In contrast, the USA tends to prioritize centralized and industry-driven research, which may have less direct impact on public health. Therefore, delineating the European history of Oncology as a distinct entity is crucial.
Recognizing that history is a dynamic entity requiring continuous updating and interaction, rather than opting for traditional publication methods like books, we have developed a website to host and continually update all our content. An Editorial Committee comprising experts in the field of oncology has been tasked with identifying and selecting new contributions meticulously. The content creation process has involved European experts as well as a small group of science journalists primarily based in the United Kingdom. They have drafted articles by drawing from existing literature and conducting numerous interviews with key figures.
The website now offers information on various tumor types, interventions, biographies of key figures, and concise descriptions of cancer hospitals, institutes, and organizations that have shaped the history of European Oncology. Users can navigate through the site using a series of menus, keywords, and tags. Given that this platform is dynamic and continually evolving, we encourage people to suggest innovations for further documentation and to contribute articles or amend existing content. We view our audience not merely as readers but as collaborators in this endeavor.
A living document
Writing about the history of innovations is fraught with pitfalls. The writers and editorial panel have done their best to be accurate, and use fair judgement in what should or should not be included. We encourage readers to take a critical approach to our coverage, and to use the gmaggini@eso.net to alert us to possible inaccuracies or important omissions.