Cancer clinical trials: A future of better cancer care

Clinical trials are research studies designed to find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Only those patients who agree to volunteer are eligible to participate.

More than 250 clinical trials are available for patient enrollment at UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center. Some of our clinical trials are also conducted at community hospitals and regional cancer centers affiliated with Carbone Cancer Center.

Several pediatric cancer clinical trials are coordinated with American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison.

For more information about clinical trials, visit the National Cancer Institute.

How to get involved

Existing patients: If you are an existing UW Health patient, please talk with your care team to see if a clinical trial might be right for you.

New patients: If you would like to discuss clinical trial options, please contact (800) 622-8922 to schedule an appointment.

General questions: For general questions about clinical trials, contact the Clinical Trials Nurse Navigator at (608) 262-0439 or clinicaltrials@cancer.wisc.edu

By taking part in a clinical trial, you can:

• Gain earlier access to new treatments before they’re available to others; this could result in a better outcome for yourself if the drug is found to be effective

• Help us learn more about diseases and effective treatments

• Contribute to and improve care for future patients

The UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center actively supports participation from Black, Asian, Hispanic and other members of minority groups. Individuals from these populations have traditionally been underrepresented in clinical trials. Enrolling more minority-group patients will lead to more meaningful findings about new cancer treatments being studied.

The different types of trials include:

• Treatment trials test new treatments. These include new cancer drugs, new approaches to surgery or radiation, or other potentially promising treatment methods.

• Prevention trials test new approaches, such as medicines, vitamins, minerals or other supplements, which may lower the risk of getting a certain type of cancer

• Screening trials test the best way to detect cancer, especially in its early stages

• Quality of life trials look at ways to improve comfort and quality of life for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers

When one person says “yes” to a clinical trial, it can pave the way to life-saving treatments for thousands. Gary’s story is a testament to this transformative impact.