Evolving landscape of cancer survivorship research: an analysis of the Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 2007-2020

Abstract

Purpose: To provide an analysis of papers published by the Journal of Cancer Survivorship (JCSU) from March 1, 2007 (its inception) until December 31, 2020.

Methods: Characteristics (locations, study type, cancer type, keywords assigned by original authors) of all included articles were extracted into EndNote X9 and were coded and analyzed using Excel, NVivo v.R1.3 and VOSviewer, v.1.616. Journal Impact Factor and citation counts of each manuscript were downloaded from Clarivate Journal Citation Reports and Scopus®, respectively.

Results: Published papers are predominantly from the USA, Australia, and the UK. While breast cancer continues to be the dominant cancer type, a range of different cancer types and populations with mixed-cancer types have been addressed in the journal. Cross-sectional designs were the most used. JCSU's impact factor experienced a steady growth between 2011 and 2015 and stabilized over recent years (2016-2020), at 3.296 (1 year) and 3.830 (5 years). Keyword co-occurrence analyses indicated prominent themes including quality of life, physical activity, late effects, follow-up care, and psychosocial aspects of cancer survivorship.

Conclusions: JCSU has made a significant contribution thus far by disseminating knowledge in cancer survivorship. This paper provides insights of JCSU's success to date and recommends further diversification and directions for practice areas that are novel or have received less attention by the cancer survivorship community.

Implications for cancer survivors: This journal stands ready to publish new information that informs the cancer survivorship community on the multidimensional nature of cancer and facilitates translation into quality care across many different settings and across the globe.

Keywords: Cancer survivorship; Impact; Keyword co-occurrence analysis; Neural network analysis; Publishing.