Reasons to participate in a clinical trial
At the UK Markey Cancer Center, we’re searching for cancer cures and discovering answers today and every day.
We have hundreds of clinical trials going on at any one time. We use these trials to test new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Many of our trials test:
- New drugs
- Different ways to use drugs or combinations of drugs
- New surgical treatments
Why participate in a clinical trial?
Every cancer treatment we have today began as a clinical trial. Being in a clinical trial is a choice you make with your care team. If we recommend a trial to you, it’s because we think you might benefit from it. Trials offer hope to many people with cancer and to cancer patients of the future.
Your reasons to participate might include the opportunity to:
- Change the outcome of your cancer journey.
- Try a promising new therapy to treat your cancer.
- Contribute to the future of cancer treatment.
- Feel like you’re helping others.
Your clinical trials team
When you have cancer, you have a treatment team. At Markey Cancer Center, that team includes a wide range of specialists in your type of cancer — oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, social workers and many more.
When you’re part of a clinical trial at Markey, you have a whole additional research team. This team watches over you very closely throughout the trial. Having more eyes on your health is always a good thing.
Your participation matters
Different people experience cancer in different ways. Treatments that work well for men, for example, may not work as well for women. People from rural areas may be more likely to get a certain type of cancer. Your race, age, gender, ethnicity and other factors can affect how you respond to certain treatments.
All of that is why it’s important to include all types of people in clinical trials. Your participation matters. When we have a wide range of people in a trial, we have a better chance of finding treatments that work for everyone.
What to consider before joining a clinical trial
If you have concerns about participating in a clinical trial, talk to your care team and discuss it with your loved ones. You can also review the benefits and risks of clinical trial participation and look at our frequently asked questions.
Here are some things to ask yourself, your loved ones and your doctor if you’re thinking about participating in a trial.
- Am I well enough to handle a clinical trial?
- Do I have the necessary support from loved ones?
- How much time will the clinical trial take beyond my standard cancer treatment for extra visits, tests and more?
- What are the financial impacts of participating in the trial? (In general, cost shouldn’t be an issue.)
