Call for papers - Early-onset breast cancer

Guest Editors

Matteo Lambertini, MD, PhD, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Italy
Kelly Metcalfe, RN, PhD, University of Toronto, Canada
Chiara Molinelli, MD, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Italy

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 12 September 2025

BMC Cancer is calling for submissions to our Collection on Early-onset breast cancer. This Collection invites researchers to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on early-onset breast cancer, focusing on its unique biological characteristics, risk factors, and treatment challenges. We welcome submissions that explore epidemiological trends, genetic predispositions, psychosocial impacts, and innovative screening strategies aimed at improving outcomes for young adults diagnosed with breast cancer.

New Content Item This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being.

Submit to Collection

Meet the Guest Editors

Back to top

Matteo Lambertini, MD, PhD, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Italy

Matteo Lambertini is associate professor and consultant in medical oncology at the University of Genova – IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino in Genova (Italy). He is mainly focused on the care of breast cancer patients and is deeply involved in breast cancer research. Dr Lambertini completed his PhD in 2018 at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium) with a project entitled “Unmet Fertility and Pregnancy-related Issues in Young Breast Cancer Patients”. He has authored more than 320 publications in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. He is a member of the guideline group on fertility preservation in cancer patients for the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (EHSRE), and the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM). Dr Lambertini has particular expertise in the management of breast cancer in young women, with a specific attention to the fertility and pregnancy-related issues that they have to face after diagnosis.

Kelly Metcalfe, RN, PhD, University of Toronto, Canada

Dr Kelly Metcalfe is a Professor and the Associate Dean of Research at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute. Dr Metcalfe’s research focuses on the prevention and treatment of breast and ovarian cancer in high-risk women, most specifically those with a germline pathogenic variant in a cancer predisposition gene. She has led international studies resulting in seminal research papers on the topic of treatment of BRCA-associated breast cancer. Dr Metcalfe is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the American Academy of Nursing, and the Canadian Academy of Nursing, and is a Member of the New College of Scholars in the Royal Society of Canada.

Chiara Molinelli, MD, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Italy

Dr Chiara Molinelli is an oncologist and medical research fellow at Ospedale San Martino in Genova, Italy. She completed her medical degree and specialisation in Medical Oncology at the University of Genova. Dr Molinelli is actively involved in research, particularly focusing on breast cancer in young adults. Her work includes studying the predictive role of HER2-low status in metastatic breast cancer and the efficacy of CDK 4/6 inhibitors. She has contributed to several significant publications and is a member of the Gruppo Italiano Mammella (GIM), where she collaborates on various clinical trials and research projects.

About the Collection

BMC Cancer is calling for submissions to our Collection on Early-onset breast cancer.

Early-onset breast cancer, defined as breast cancer diagnosed in individuals under the age of 50, has emerged as a critical area of research due to its increasing prevalence among young adults. This phenomenon poses unique challenges, as younger patients often face different biological, psychological, and social implications compared to older cancer patients. Understanding the risk factors and genetic predispositions involved, is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies tailored to younger populations.

Enhancing our understanding of early-onset breast cancer is vital for several reasons. First, it allows for the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets that could lead to more effective treatments. Recent advances in genomics and personalized medicine have already begun to illuminate the unique molecular characteristics of early-onset breast cancers, paving the way for targeted therapies. Furthermore, understanding the psychosocial impact of early breast cancer diagnosis can inform supportive care strategies that address the emotional and social needs of young patients and their families.

Continued research in this area holds the promise of significant breakthroughs, including the development of innovative screening methods that could facilitate earlier detection of breast cancers in younger populations. Additionally, as we deepen our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors contributing to early-onset breast cancer, we may uncover preventive strategies that could reduce incidence rates and improve outcomes for young adults facing this disease.

Topics welcome to this Collection include, but are not limited to, the following:

Epidemiology of early-onset breast cancer
Genetic predispositions in young adult breast cancer
Psychosocial impacts of young breast cancer
Screening strategies for early detection
Treatment implications in young patients
Short-term and long-term consequences of treatment

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

Back to top

This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Early-onset breast cancer" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.