Becoming the new editor for CA: The future is now

CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (CA) was not a journal I ever saw myself publishing in let alone leading; its impact factor and prestige seemed out of reach for me—such is the Imposter Syndrome. Still, I came across the opportunity to become its editor and I applied, thinking I would regret it if I did not at least try. To my delight, I was chosen to succeed Ted Gansler, who had led CA as its editor for 23 years. Unbeknownst to me, I would also be the first to lead the journal from outside of the American Cancer Society (ACS).

CA holds a special place in medicine, and specifically in oncology. Best known for the annual publication of Cancer Statistics, it is also the reference for a diverse readership, from primary care providers to advanced practice practitioners, both within the United States and globally. Therefore, it remains important that what we publish is accessible to all—regardless of whether they are specialized in cancer medicine. With that in mind, we have instituted new instructions for our potential authors, and they are based in intentionality. Articles submitted need to be understandable to our audience, and this is an opportunity to translate technical concepts into much more accessible language. I’ve asked the authors to be cognizant that our readership includes not only diverse health professionals but also people who themselves have experienced cancer, their caregivers, and advocates. As such, patient-centric language should be used. As examples, cancer should not be used as an adjective (e.g., breast cancer patients) nor should progression on treatment be referred to as a failure. The patient experience is also one that it is important to acknowledge, and I have challenged those who intend to submit to CA to incorporate patients’ points of view in the construction and the writing of articles and to include them as authors wherever it makes sense.

As we move into the future, I hope to make use of CA to democratize the access to important information; and, in 2024, CA will begin considering publication of high-impact clinical trial results. I intend the process to be a collaboration from the start, from gaging the appropriateness of phase 3 research for CA to timely peer review and publication, while maintaining the standards set above. Although this is a major shift in the past content CA has accepted, our editorial group at ACS believe this is an important step for CA, not only because of its eminence in medical publishing but because it represents an opportunity for everyone to access information that may change the standards of care. These articles will not be restricted—they will be free and downloadable at our journal’s website, just as CA content has always been.

Most of all, I want to ensure all who read and contribute to CA that the rigorous care that Dr. Gansler provided will continue. Articles are personally reviewed by me before formal submission and peer review. This is not meant to be onerous but to ensure that consistency and quality in writing are reflected in our journal, adhering to the direction we have set forth above.

It has been a great first year at CA, and I hope that, in small ways and some larger ones, it will continue to be a source for all interested in oncology—from prevention to treatment to survivorship and palliative care. This is the flagship journal of the ACS; and, as we look forward, we will bear this in mind in all that we publish and ensure that the progress in oncology is shared. With everyone.

With best regards,

Don S. Dizon, MD

Editor, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians