Global cancer burden continues to shift, driven by population ageing, lifestyle changes, and disparities in screening and prevention.

A new special issue of Cancer Biology & Medicine brings together works that examine cancer epidemiology from a worldwide perspective—covering ovarian, lung, colorectal, and breast cancers, as well as emerging approaches to multi‑cancer early detection and risk prediction.

By combining large‑scale population data, temporal trend analyses, and methodological innovations, the collection offers a comprehensive snapshot of where cancer incidence and mortality stand today and where they are heading tomorrow.

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 behavioural 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 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-centre 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.

Article: Special Issue on Cancer Epidemiology

Source: China Anti-Cancer Association