Did You Know? Clinical Trials May Help Prevent Cancer

One of the most common things I hear is “I didn’t know clinical trials were an option for people without cancer.”  Most people think of clinical trials as a last resort following a cancer diagnosis. But clinical trials offer opportunities across the full cancer journey, including prevention, treatment and cancer survivorship.

Many individuals are surprised to learn that clinical trials also study new ways to prevent cancer. In fact, these types of studies have been around for many decades. Cancer prevention trials aim to find new ways to lower the risk of cancer while reducing side effects and improving overall health. Prevention trials are safe and carefully designed.

What are cancer prevention clinical trials?

Cancer prevention trials look for new ways to lower a person’s chance of developing cancer or to find it earlier, when it is easier to treat. These studies may focus on medications, lifestyle changes, new screening methods or closer monitoring for people at higher risk. They cover many types of cancer, including breast, colon, pancreatic, lung, head and neck, uterine, ovarian and prostate cancers.

Prevention trials may be a good option for many people, especially those at higher risk. This includes individuals with a family history of cancer or certain genetic changes, as well as those who have had a pre-cancerous finding on a biopsy or were exposed to radiation during treatment for another cancer.

Why prevention trials matter

Cancer outcomes are often worse when risk isn’t identified early. People in rural and underserved communities face more barriers to preventive care and are often underrepresented in research. Expanding access to prevention studies is key to improving outcomes for all communities.

Cancer prevention trials have helped us find ways to reduce cancer risk. Examples include colonoscopy screening for colon cancer, quitting smoking to reduce chances of developing lung cancer, the HPV vaccination to prevent cervical and head and neck cancer, and tamoxifen to reduce breast cancer risk. A 2024 study looking at the impact of cancer prevention clinical trials over the past 45 years showed that eight out of 10 deaths from cancer were avoided due to advances in prevention and screening.

Here at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, we have active cancer prevention trials open to participants. At the Breast Cancer Prevention Research Center, we are studying low-dose tamoxifen and acolbifene, which may help reduce cancer risk in premenopausal women with fewer side effects than the standard dose of tamoxifen. In postmenopausal women, we are also studying whether an omega-3 supplement can improve metabolic health and breast cancer risk factors in those taking low-dose tamoxifen. For example, the High-Risk GI Clinic recently completed a study of a vaccine designed to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in individuals with Lynch Syndrome – a hereditary cancer syndrome which increases the risk of colon cancer. 

Participation in clinical trials is always voluntary, and safety is closely monitored. Participants in clinical trials can choose to stop at any time.

What participation looks like

If you are interested in learning more about participating in a cancer prevention clinical trial, the first step is finding out what trials are available and if you are a good fit. If you are eligible, you will go through a consent process. During this time, a member of the research team explains the purpose of the study, as well as the risks and benefits.

Some clinical trials are designed so that everyone gets the intervention (such as a drug or exercise program). Others compare two different approaches. If the usual standard of care is no intervention, the study may compare a new approach to a placebo or no treatment.

Most trials include a baseline visit with regular check-ins throughout the study. During the consent process, you will learn about the schedule of visits and the length of the study. Participation may involve imaging, blood tests, and/or questionnaires. Some studies may also include a biopsy to better understand how the treatment affects the body.

Taking the next step

At The University of Kansas Cancer Center, we focus on leading in both cancer prevention and treatment. We have high risk prevention-focused clinics for people who are at increased risk of breast cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and gynecologic cancers such as uterine and ovarian cancer.  Gather your family history of cancer and talk to your provider about your personal risk and whether additional screening, prevention strategies or a clinical trial may be right for you.

Let’s work together to find ways to prevent cancer.