Cancer epidemiology is not merely about counting cases; it is a dynamic field that informs screening policies, resource allocation, and clinical trial design. With rapid changes in risk factor profiles and healthcare access across regions, timely and granular epidemiological evidence is more critical than ever. Yet translating these data into actionable insights requires robust analytical frameworks, cross‑national comparisons, and integration with behavioral and socioeconomic factors. This special issue addresses these needs by presenting studies that span multiple continents, leverage large cohort and registry data, and project future burden under current trends.
The special issue (DOI: https://www.cancerbiomed.org/content/23/7) of Cancer Biology & Medicine on Cancer Epidemiology published latest research and viewpoints from leading epidemiologists. Its content includes cancer risk stratification, early detection, the interplay between mental health and cancer, etc.
The issue's epidemiological contributions cover both global and regional perspectives. An editorial opens the discussion on multi‑cancer early detection (MCED), moving from promise to practice and identifying the next frontier in screening.
A comprehensive review on ovarian cancer patterns, trends, and risk factors sets the stage for the original studies that follow. One large cross‑sectional analysis from a population screening project uncovers the mediating role of mental health in the association between diet and upper gastrointestinal cancers, adding a novel psychosocial dimension to cancer prevention. A study on lung cancer mortality in China from 2013 to 2021, with projections to 2030, provides vital evidence for tobacco control and early screening strategies. Two population‑based studies—each covering 185 countries—reveal lifetime risk trajectories and socioeconomic inequalities for colorectal and breast cancer, respectively, highlighting where interventions are most urgently needed. Three letters complement these findings. One compares 17 risk prediction models for FIT-based colorectal cancer screening in a large Chinese cohort, offering practical guidance for model selection in real-world settings. A second explores how genetic susceptibility and environmental risk factors relate to incident gastric cancer across different Helicobacter pylori infection statuses, informing more refined risk stratification. A third national multi-center study maps anogenital HPV infection patterns by anatomical site and sexual orientation in Chinese men, revealing a substantially higher overall prevalence among men who have sex with men than among heterosexual men.
"This collection shows that cancer epidemiology is not just about describing the past, but about equipping clinicians, policymakers, and researchers with forward‑looking tools," the issue suggests. "By integrating trend projections, risk modelling, and social determinants, we can better tailor prevention and early detection to diverse populations." That integrated perspective makes this special issue especially timely: epidemiology is presented as the backbone of precision prevention, not as a static discipline, but as a continuously evolving science that fuels clinical and public health action.
The broader message of the issue is clear. The future of cancer control will depend on epidemiological research that is global in scope, granular in data, and connected to translational and clinical needs. By bringing together large‑scale population studies, advanced statistical methods, and actionable risk prediction, Cancer Biology & Medicine offers readers a vital resource for understanding and responding to the changing landscape of cancer burden worldwide.
For more details and to access the full special issue, visit Cancer Biology & Medicine online.
Multi-cancer early detection: from promise to practice and the next frontier
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0664
Global epidemiology of ovarian cancer: patterns, trends, and risk factors
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0619
Psychological health mediates the association between diet and upper gastrointestinal cancer: a cross-sectional analysis from a large-scale population-based screening project
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0472
Lung cancer mortality trends in China from 2013 to 2021 and projections to 2030
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0625
Global landscape and temporal trends in lifetime risk of colorectal cancer in 185 countries: a population-based study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0851
Global patterns, temporal trends and socioeconomic inequalities in the burden of breast cancer: a population-based study across 185 countries
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2026.0059
Enhancing FIT-based colorectal cancer screening through risk prediction: a comparative evaluation of 17 models in a large Chinese cohort
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0702
Genetic susceptibility, environmental risk factors, and incident gastric cancer risk among individuals with different Helicobacter pylori infection status: a population-based study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2026.0145
Anogenital human papillomavirus infection patterns by anatomical site and sexual orientation in Chinese men: a national multi-center study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2026.0129
Nanoplatelets, a potential drug delivery vehicle for targeted cancer therapy