Early-Onset Cancers: Implications of Epidemiological Trends and Underlying Causes

About this Research Topic

Background

The rising incidence of early-onset cancers has emerged as a sentinel event for epidemiologists and public health officials globally. Traditionally considered diseases of middle and older age, a perplexing and consistent upward trend in cancer diagnoses among individuals under 50 is now capturing global attention and spurring urgent scientific and public discourse. This trend has not only become a recurrent issue of intense media interest, but has also inspired calls for research to explain and respond to this phenomenon.

A critical unresolved question is whether these early-onset cancers represent merely an earlier presentation of traditionally understood malignancies, such as colorectal cancer, or whether they are in fact a distinct category of disease with unique etiological factors and clinical course. Current epidemiological data highlight the inadequacy of established risk factors (including Western dietary patterns, high intake of red and processed meats, alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, antibiotic use, and microbiome alterations) to fully explain the scale and patterns of increased incidence in younger populations.

Recent thought leaders in the field have posited that while these known factors are sufficient to drive risk in late-onset cases, the dramatic rise in early-onset cancers may signal the emergence of new, potent exposures or combinations thereof, particularly those encountered during critical periods in early life. This shift in perspective challenges researchers to reconcile long-standing multi-factorial paradigms (which emphasize the cumulative and interactive nature of risk factors across transgenerational life courses) with new hypotheses suggesting the possibility of distinct, mono-causal agents or exposures with unique modes of action such as epigenetic modifications.

This Research Topic is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the epidemiological trends and underlying causes of early-onset cancers, with a central focus on life-course exposures (especially physio-chemical, behavioral, and psychosocial) that influence the incidence of and survival from chronic and non-communicable diseases in young populations.

We welcome submissions that address, but are not limited to:

• Analysis of Epidemiological Trends: Examination of incidence patterns and temporal changes in early-onset cancers globally.

• Life-course Physio-chemical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Exposures: Exploration of how exposure to chemical substances and hormones, dietary habits, lifestyle factors, microbial and antibiotic influences, and psychosocial stressors during distinct developmental windows contribute to the risk and progression of early-onset cancers.

• Novel Etiological Hypotheses: Critical reviews and empirical studies that explore whether early-onset cancers might constitute a new disease entity driven by previously unrecognized exposures or mechanisms, versus the early manifestation of established conditions.

• Mono-causal vs. Multi-factorial Models: Discussions that interrogate the theoretical and practical implications of adopting mono-causal, multi-factorial, or integrated causation frameworks in cancer epidemiology, and their influence on prevention and policy strategies.

• Interventions: Assessment of how evolving etiological models should shape population health interventions, resource allocation, screening guidelines, and communication strategies.

• Social Inequalities and Early-Onset Cancers: Investigations into how social determinants (such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, education, occupational exposures, and experiences of discrimination) influence the risk, detection, treatment outcomes, and survival of early-onset cancers.

This Research Topic aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on the mechanisms, exposures, and risk factors that underlie the emergence and rising burden of early-onset cancers, illuminate the interplay and possible tension between mono-causal and multi-factorial approaches to cancer causation, especially as they relate to policy development and effective prevention strategies, and encourage research that identifies critical life-course windows of vulnerability, clarifies the mechanistic pathways linking exposures to disease, and disentangles the unique versus shared characteristics of early- and late-onset cancers.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: early-onset cancers, cancer epidemiology, cancer

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a Research Topic?

  Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

  Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

• Why does Frontiers publish Research Topics? 

  The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

  Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

• Why are Research Topics important for journals?

  As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

  A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

• How do we ensure the quality of articles within Research Topics?

  Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and it falls under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

  In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

• What are the benefits of publishing my article in a Research Topic?

  Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

  As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

  Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

   
• What types of articles can be published in a Research Topic?

  Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

  Check available article types here 

• Can I suggest a new Research Topic? 

  Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

  Suggest your topic here 

• Who leads a Research Topic? 

  A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

  The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

• What is the role of a topic editor?

  As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

   

  You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

• What support will I receive when editing a new Research Topic? 

  As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

• As a junior researcher, can I be involved in editing a Research Topic? 

  If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

• Can I get a certificate for editing a Research Topic?

  Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

• Who will I collaborate with?

  Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

• How long does it take to publish a Research Topic?

  As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

  Find out more about our Research Topics

• What fee support is available to authors publishing in a Research Topic?

  Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

  Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

• Will there be a printed version of my Research Topic?

  In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.