Cancer is a devastating disease where cells accumulate genetic mutations and become able to proliferate uncontrollably and abnormally. As the groups of abnormal cells grow, they consume copious amounts of resources and can alter their surroundings for their benefit through complicated signalling processes. A highly adaptive disease that can occur in any tissue, it is difficult to treat.

Cancer in hominins dates back 1.7 million years. Discovered by archaeologists was an osteosarcoma on a fossilised toe. Since then, the devastating disease has been studied by scholars, artists and medical professionals throughout the ages. Many treatments have been proposed and tried, from cauterisation to application of arsenic paste, while surgery remained a risky option without proper antiseptic conditions and anaesthesia. It is an ever-evolving disease, highly adaptive and costly to treat. In the current age, scientists are still discovering new aspects of cancer, establishing new pathways, causes and proposing new treatment targets.

In recognition of World Cancer Day in February, we highlight interesting manuscripts or collection topics related to cancer. World Cancer Day was named to raise awareness of the disease, as well as encourage discussion of its pathogenesis, epidemiology, treatment options and field advancements. With an estimated 20 million new cases worldwide each year and 48% mortality, cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases to treat.

Highlighted collection topics are soon to open in the journals BMC Pulmonary Medicine “Cancer and the lung” and BMC Cardiovascular Disorders “Cancer and cardiovascular disorders”. These collections seek manuscripts relating to molecular mechanisms, advances in imaging and therapeutic techniques, complications of disease or chemotherapy, and management.

In BMC Oral Health edited by Alex Goodridge, the collection “Oral complications from cancer treatment” is open for submissions until 5^th June 2025, exploring complications resulting from cancer treatments, including mucositis, xerostomia, and osteonecrosis., inviting manuscripts on the mechanisms, management strategies, and innovative therapies. “Early detection and prevention of oral cancer” is now closed and published, with an interesting array of manuscripts on dental, medical, and epidemiological research that will assist clinicians and decision-makers in identifying effective strategies to prevent oral cancer, as well as detecting the disease in at-risk populations.

In BMC Gastroenterology edited by Harshal Dhondge, two collections “GI cancer risk assessment” (open until 21^st March 2025) and “Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer” (open until 7^th May 2025) are currently open for submissions. “GI cancer risk assessment” invites submissions relating to molecular pathways, imaging modalities, autoimmune and gallstone pancreatitis management, pancreatic cancer biomarkers, microbiota and pancreatic diseases, and therapeutic approaches for pancreatic insufficiency and alcohol-induced pancreatitis. “Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer” inviting submissions that explore novel approaches to risk assessment, screening, and surveillance, with the aim of advancing personalized strategies for early detection and prevention of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

There have also been interesting highlighted manuscripts published across the BMC series. In BMC Pediatrics edited by Jieying Zhou, a study investigates how peri-interventional reduction of pain, anxiety and distress using virtual reality can help children with cancer cope with stressful and painful interventions.

In BMC Oral Health edited by Alex Goodridge, studies explore how oral rinses containing the tumorigenic biomarker CD44 can help high-risk individuals such as smokers detect cancer early. A differently-focused study explores betel nut chewing dependence and the associated risks and socioeconomic factors that drive it.

In BMC Genomics edited by Sophie Nicod, a new app called Sherlock-Genome has been developed for the effective integrative analysis of whole genome sequencing studies and to drive discovery and research advancements. Another seeks to find a good reference gene in hypoxia-driven breast cancer progression using reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Finally, in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making and BMC Medical Research Methodology edited by Piero Lo Monaco, one study explores the importance of tailoring medical decision making processes and individual patient preferences to enhance cancer patient care. A different paper reviews artificial intelligence models by applying them to longitudinal data for the prediction of cancer.