- October 12, 2023
Cutting-edge cancer research and global platform for oncology discussions and engagement.
The British Journal of Cancer (BJC)
BJC is committed to publishing cutting edge discovery, translational and clinical cancer research across the broad spectrum of oncology. With its long tradition and close links with CRUK, the journal provides a global platform to disseminate important research in cancer.
This journal accepts original research articles and reviews, ranging from epidemiology, carcinogenesis and biology through to state of the art cellular and molecular approaches. Submissions should be of high scientific/clinical significance.
General oncology
The British Journal of Cancer (BJC) is committed to publishing cutting edge discovery, translational and clinical cancer research. It provides a global platform for key discussions and engagement in the broad area of oncology and offers its readership high impact research across six subject categories including clinical studies, translational therapeutics, molecular diagnostics, genetics and genomics and epidemiology.
BJC is a bimonthly scientific journal with articles spanning the full spectrum of preclinical and clinical cancer research, investigation, treatment and care. It publishes original research, reviews, case reports, editorials and correspondence. It prioritises papers that make a significant contribution to the understanding of the cause and progression of cancer as well as improving patient outcomes. It is published in association with Cancer Research UK, a registered charity in the United Kingdom.
Cancer epidemiology
Cancer epidemiology is the study of the pattern, distribution and causes of cancer. This field includes the analysis of data from studies examining incidence, prevalence and mortality, and can be studied at the global or local level. It is also possible to examine temporal trends in these measures, or differences in them between different regions or groups of people.
The majority of cancers are caused by lifestyle factors, such as tobacco use, poor diet and insufficient physical activity, and chronic infections such as Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B and C viruses. Several of these are preventable by changing lifestyles and implementing screening programmes.
Cancer research is critical to our understanding of the cause of cancer and determining how best to reduce its burden. Research in the BJC covers a broad range of topics including cancer etiology, diagnosis, survival and disparities.
Cancer immunology
Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the body’s natural immune system to fight cancer. It has seen unprecedented success in recent years, and was named Science’s “Scientific Breakthrough of the Year.” It involves boosting the immune system’s ability to detect and destroy cancer cells.
The idea of using the body’s own immune system to treat neoplastic diseases first emerged in the nineteenth century. Wilhelm Busch and Friedrich Fehleisen showed that erysipelas, an infection caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, could result in spontaneous regression of tumours2.
Immunotherapy research has made great headway in the past decade due to discoveries on how to target neoantigens and T cell anergy. These discoveries are being translated into clinical applications, including cellular immunotherapy, oncolytic viruses and checkpoint blockade.
Cancer genetics
The genes in our cells are responsible for regulating how our bodies grow and develop. Cancer genetics is the study of mutations in these genes that help cancers form, grow and spread. These genetic changes, or variants, can be inherited from our parents or acquired by chance events during cell division.
Some inherited gene faults can cause cancer, but most cancers develop because of many other factors as well. Researchers are trying to find out more about these other factors so that we can do more to prevent cancers. They also want to know whether genetic tests for some cancers are useful in predicting how likely someone is to get the disease. The British journal of cancer publishes articles on these topics. It also has a rapid format for publishing cancer variant reports that have compelling clinical case information.
Clinical oncology
Clinical oncologists care for patients with cancer, and treat them using chemotherapy and radiotherapy. They work with other specialists and nurses in the field. They may also help patients deal with psychological issues associated with their diagnosis and treatment.
They diagnose malignancies by taking detailed medical histories and performing physical examinations. They may use X-rays, CT scanning, MRI scanning and ultrasound to localise tumours and guide biopsy. They may also use radiopharmaceuticals – such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) – to identify areas of abnormal cell activity.
They treat cancer patients in hospitals and day care wards, and carry out clinics to assess new and follow-up patients. They are responsible for prescribing and organising patient treatment, which is often a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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