About Clinical Trials
Is a clinical trial right for you?
The term “clinical trials” may seem intimidating at first, but at UK Markey Cancer Center, we are here to help answer your questions.
When you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, participating in a clinical trial may be an option to consider. Cancer clinical trials help to test and advance:
- Cancer prevention.
- New ways to find or diagnose cancer, especially at early stages.
- Discover new treatment options.
- Management of side effects from cancer treatment.
What we will know about cancer tomorrow may be available today as a clinical trial or research study and, in some cases, be developed right here at Markey.
- Have any questions? Watch videos covering all of the clinical trial basics.
Watch the video below to hear UK researchers, physicians and patients explain why clinical trials are so important to the University of Kentucky... and beyond.
What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that involve people of all kinds and stages of health. They are the final step in a long process that begins with research in a lab. Most treatments we use today are the results of past clinical trials.
Trials are available for all stages of cancer. It is a myth that they are only for people who have advanced cancer that is not responding to treatment. Clinical trials evaluate the safety and effectiveness of drug treatments, medical devices or other therapies. They can help doctors find new or better ways to prevent, detect or treat illness, no matter the stage of cancer.
Source: For more information, visit the National Cancer Institute website
Why participate in a clinical trials?
Through extensive research and the participation of volunteers, clinical trials help us advance treatments and medications that will ultimately save lives. Nearly every breakthrough in treating and curing disease is the result of a patient who was willing to give it a try.
Life-saving treatments and medications that are common today began as an idea that led to a research study. But in order to make these important discoveries in health care, we need volunteers who will take an active role in their care and help advance medical knowledge.
Because Markey Cancer Center is designated by the National Cancer Institute , we are able to bring exciting research opportunities to our patients. As a result, patients can take advantage of new treatments, drugs or technologies that are not available anywhere else in the country.
By participating in a clinical trial, you can help our doctors and scientists take the next steps in discovering new ways to treat and prevent cancer.
Have you ever wondered what it's like to take part in a clinical trial? Watch the stories of clinical trial participants to understand why they say participating is so empowering.
