Global Study Exposes Persistent Sex Imbalance in Cancer Research Publications
A recent study published in BMJ Oncology has shed light on the ongoing sex imbalance in cancer research publications, despite a slight increase in the number of female authors involved. The research, spanning a decade, revealed that while there was a 26% rise in the proportion of women as first authors and a 12% increase as last authors, significant variations existed among different regions and countries.
The analysis encompassed data from 56 countries between 2009 and 2019, focusing on the roles of first authors, considered the primary contributors, and last authors, typically the project supervisors or leaders. Surprisingly, countries in the Far East, Middle East (excluding North Africa), Western Europe (including the UK and Germany), and North America exhibited poor performance in terms of female authorship.
Countries like South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Austria, Greece, and Japan ranked lowest on the list, with Japan reporting only 19.1% of female first authors and 5% of female last authors in 2019. Some nations even experienced a stagnation or decline in the number of female last authors over the years.
In contrast, Eastern and Southern European countries, along with those in Latin America, emerged as the top performers in terms of female authorship. Argentina, Portugal, Serbia, and Romania were among the leading countries in this aspect.
While the study did not delve into specific reasons for these disparities, the researchers suggested that the findings reflect the persistent challenges faced by women in academia. Factors such as inadequate support for women’s academic progress, societal expectations of caregiving roles falling predominantly on women, and hostile workplace environments were highlighted as potential barriers to gender equity.
Interestingly, the researchers pointed out that the more favorable outcomes in Eastern Europe could be attributed to a phenomenon known as the ‘feminization’ of science and medicine, possibly influenced by historical factors. Additionally, the availability of affordable childcare in EU countries was considered a contributing factor to the higher representation of female authors.
Overall, the study underscores the importance of addressing the underlying issues that hinder gender diversity in cancer research publications, emphasizing the need for evidence-based policies to promote equity in the field.
