Collection Overview 

Scientific Reports has launched a Guest-Edited Collection on Cancer in understudied populations. 

Cancer research has brought significant advances in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment that have improved patient outcomes. However, much about cancer remains unknown because many populations remain understudied, including racial and ethnic minorities, rural populations, and sexual and gender minorities. This may result in worse outcomes, as we may be unaware of underlying biology that affects cancer development and response to therapy, uncommon cancer etiologies that may mask diagnosis, or disparities that make it difficult to access care and treatment. Reducing cancer incidence and mortality requires increasing our understanding of cancer in these classically understudied population and improving health equity. 

This will be a Collection of original research papers  and will be open for submissions from all authors – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and of Scientific Reports more generally. We are welcoming submissions until 31st October 2025.

Why is this Collection important?

"Understudied populations endure a disproportionate share of the global cancer burden yet remain underrepresented in cancer research. This collection amplifies the voices, data, and perspectives that are frequently excluded from a mainstream research agenda focused on well-resourced populations. By highlighting critical disparities, unique risk factors, and culturally tailored interventions, we aim to inform more equitable policies, improve clinical practice, and ultimately reduce preventable suffering. This represents a vital opportunity to advance scholarship and contribute to a more inclusive, evidence-based, and just future for cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship."

- Dr. Minghui Sam Li, Guest Editor

Why submit to a collection?  

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors, who are experts in their fields, and In-House Editors and are supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.  

Who is involved?

Guest Editors:

• Filipa Godoy-Vitorino, University of Puerto Rico, USA
• Minghui Sam Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA
• Sandra Romero-Córdoba, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico
• Seema Singh, University of Mississippi Medical Center, USA

Internal Team:

• In-House Editor: Rachel Toth, Scientific Reports, USA
• Commissioning Editor: Jenny Knowles, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
• Managing Editor: Aliya Anwar, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK

How can I submit my paper?

Visit the Collection page for more information on the Collection, and how to submit your article.