CancerPoints

Cancer Research Publications

 

Before researching your cancer in these journals, PubMed and eMedicine, it is important that you understand how to evaluate research results:
  • Distinguish original research reports from review articles. The former represent a primary source of data concerning the effectiveness of a therapy. The latter are a secondary source of information. Although review articles can be useful in identifying the key research studies, most of your emphasis should be focused on the original research. (A notable exception, however, is meta-analysis articles that combine the data from several small studies to achieve statistical significance.)
  • What is the level of evidence for the report's findings? Are the results statistically significant? Did the study have sufficient statistical power (i.e., did it involve enough patients to yield meaningful results in a clinical setting)?
  • Was the study designed in a manner that allows for a credible comparison of alternatives (i.e., as a prospective double-blind randomized trial)?
  • Was the patient population studied a good match for your condition (i.e., same histology, same staging, same risk factors)?
  • Are there any inherent biases in the data (e.g., selection bias, recall bias, data censorship)? Did the study adequately control for confounding factors?
  • Look especially for reports of the results of phase II and phase III trials.

The following are some of the leading journals for publishing state-of-the-art cancer research.

The following general research journals tend to publish significant articles concerning cancer research.

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