Key Learnings contained in this article:
Article Contents
- Introduction
- An overview of important Journal Metrics
- A list of the top ranked journals for this therapeutic area
- Ways to stay up to date with the latest research developments
Introduction
Need to get your hands on the latest research and perspectives on skin cancer but not sure where to look? Well, we have done the legwork for you.
Getting a daily dose of Vitamin D from the sun helps to build strong bones, teeth and muscles. But as we all know, there’s a fine balance between safe sun exposure and too much unprotected time in the sun which can cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer.
With skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma continuing to affect significant numbers of people worldwide each year, keeping up to date with the latest research is important for health professionals.
So grab your sunglasses, sunhat, sunshade, and sunscreen, and check out some of the top skin cancer journals.
Here you will find the top 10 skin cancer journals ranked by the 2-year Journal Impact Factor (2-JIF) – a measure of the frequency with which the articles within the journal are cited in a particular 2-year period.
We have also included some other factors for each journal in our assessment to round off the picture.
Journal Metrics
Impact factor*
The Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is based on Web of Science data and only includes documents such as articles and reviews. The JIF helps to understand the importance of how often articles are cited by addressing the bias that arises from comparing citation numbers. This bias tends to advantage bigger journals over smaller ones, those published more often over those with fewer issues, and older journals over newer ones. This is because larger or older journals usually have more articles to be cited. By considering the impact factor, we can more fairly compare journals by taking into account these differences in size, publication frequency, and age. A JIF of 3 or more is considered good and 1 is average.
CiteScore*
CiteScore is based on Scopus data for all indexed documents, including articles, letters, and editorials, as well as articles and reviews. The CiteScore for a particular year is calculated by dividing the number of citations to all indexed documents within the journal from that year and the three preceding years by the total number of documents published in the journal within that same period.
- Impact factor and CiteScore have the most meaning when used to compare journals within the same therapeutic area. Many academics value a journal’s Impact Factor over its CiteScore; therefore, they will use the impact factor to rank other journals in the same field.
SCImago Journal Rank (SJR)
The SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) indicator evaluates the prestige of academic journals by considering not only the number of citations a journal receives but also the prestige of the journals that issue these citations. An SJR >1.0 is above average. This measurement can be helpful to rank journals within the same field and category.
Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP)
Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP) weights citations based on the total number of citations in a subject field to provide a contextual, subject-specific metric. A SNIP over 1.0 means a journal has more citations than average.
Other Journal considerations
In addition to SJR ranking and journal impact factor, a good quality journal generally has the following characteristics:
- It is indexed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science or another reputable journal index.
- It has an up-to-date website, a clear scope, extensive information for authors and readers, and a publicly visible editorial board consisting of appropriately qualified board members affiliated with accredited universities and research institutions.
- Each article is assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI).
Top 10 Skin Cancer Journals
Selecting the right journal for your research is a critical step that can make or break the impact of your work. This is where a medcomms agency like Rx Communications can become an essential ally. With a deep understanding of the scientific publishing world and high levels of therapeutic area expertise, a medcomms agency worth its salt should be able to provide support at any stage of the publishing process. This includes assisting in finding journals that match your research area and larger aims, and shaping your manuscript so it reflects the ethos and audience of your chosen journal, as well as guiding you through the entire submission process including managing revisions, and planning for post-publication promotion and dealing with rejection.
Rx can increase your chances of not just getting published, but also ensuring your research makes the waves it deserves.
Ca-A Cancer Journal for Clinicians
It would be remiss to start a list of skin cancer publications without mentioning this top-ranked cancer journal. Ca: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians has been in publication since 1950 as the official journal of the American Cancer Society. Its readership includes all oncology health professionals and focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and other issues pertinent to people with cancer, including skin cancers such as melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.
- Impact Factor: 254.7
- CiteScore: 642.9
- SJR: 86.091
- SNIP: 153.478
- H-Index: 198
Cancer Cell
Cancer Cell is published by Cell Press and focuses on groundbreaking research in cancer biology, treatment, and patient care. This peer-reviewed journal is essential for oncologists, researchers, and clinicians, offering open access to its articles.
- Impact Factor: 50.3
- CiteScore: 52.9
- SJR: 12.578
- SNIP: 5.274
- H-Index: 378
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology is the official journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. It includes peer-reviewed articles, continuing medical education content, and practice guidelines.
- Impact Factor: 13.8
- CiteScore: 8.7
- SJR: 1.621
- SNIP: 1.982
- H-Index: 229
British Journal of Dermatology
The British Journal of Dermatology publishes clinical guidelines, research reviews, articles, and case reports that focus on skin diseases, including skin cancer, to improve patient outcomes.
- Impact Factor: 10.3
- CiteScore: 15.7
- SJR: 2.254
- SNIP: 2.564
- H-Index: 194
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
Published by Springer, the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology covers all areas of dermatology including research articles focusing on skin cancer.
- Impact Factor: 7.3
- CiteScore: 12.2
- SJR: 2.072
- SNIP: 2.607
- H-Index: 101
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology includes research articles and other skin cancer content. It’s published monthly by Nature Publishing Group and includes some open access articles.
- Impact Factor: 6.5
- CiteScore: 8.9
- SJR: 1.435
- SNIP: 1.265
- H-Index: 220
Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research
Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research focuses on publishing content related to diseases of pigment cells and the causes, progression, and treatment of melanoma.
- Impact Factor: 4.3
- CiteScore: 8.4
- SJR: 1.053
- SNIP: 1.275
- H-Index: 114
Experimental Dermatology
Experimental Dermatology publishes cutting-edge research in dermatology and skin disease, offering peer-reviewed articles on innovative studies aimed at advancing skin health.
- Impact Factor: 3.6
- CiteScore: 7.2
- SJR: 0.934
- SNIP: 1.079
- H-Index: 107
Melanoma Management
Melanoma Management addresses the comprehensive management of melanoma, from innovative treatment approaches to diagnostic imaging.
- Impact Factor: 3.6
- CiteScore: 5.1
- SJR: 0.699
- SNIP: 0.604
- H-Index: 12
Melanoma Research
Melanoma Research focuses on melanoma care, including pathophysiology, molecular biology, and advances in cancer care for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Impact Factor: 2.2
- CiteScore: 5.8
- SJR: 0.740
- SNIP: 0.785
- H-Index: 77
Publish or Perish - as true now as it ever was
In the high-stakes world of pharma and biotech, "Publish or Perish" isn't just a catchy phrase—it's the stark reality. For pharma companies and researchers, it's not enough to develop breakthroughs; the real challenge lies in getting those findings recognised in top journals. In this game, it's not just about playing your cards right; it's about having a seasoned player on your team. With Rx Communications in your corner, you’ll be giving yourself the best chance to make an impact with your research. Explore our Publications Support Services here.
How to Stay Up-to-Date with Skin Cancer Research Developments
For pharma professionals and researchers working in the field of skin cancer, it is vital to stay abreast of the latest research advancements. To stay on top you might:
- Consider subscribing to our newsletter and receive updates to our top journal lists as well as other relevant industry and therapeutic developments as they happen.
- Register for an account with your selected journal to get direct access to new research as it's published.
- Customise an RSS feed for your selected journals to further streamline the process, delivering the latest papers and articles directly to your digital doorstep.
- Set up a Google alert with skin cancer research keywords to capture relevant news and studies from across the web.
- Lastly, don't underestimate the power of social media; by following the publishers and journals in the field, you'll tap into a community of shared knowledge and discourse.
Article originally written by Sarah Cahill and published in 2021, updated by Beth Howe and the Rx Team for 2024!
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