The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center anticipates word this spring about another national designation. It could prove beneficial in supporting cancer-fighting research.
The Markey Cancer Center attained a National Cancer Institute rating a decade ago. Officials at the multi-faceted cancer program in Lexington hope to hear in a month or so if they’ve achieved comprehensive status. Markey Director Dr. Mark Evers said the next level of recognition would likely carry grant funding benefits.
“It wouldn’t affect the type of research, but there’s more money that comes in from the federal government to do our research. So, that means more clinical trials and more cancer prevention. And that sort of thing,” said Evers.
Evers told Lexington Rotarians last week work is underway to construct a new cancer center. He said it could be three to four years before it opens. The first building on the Markey Center campus, the Ben F. Roach facility, opened in 1986.
He was asked about the development of a vaccine to prevent certain cancers. Afterward, Evers noted that could become a reality within the next decade.
“With the rapidity of new treatments that have happened in just the last five to ten years, I mean, we say down the road, but I wouldn’t be surprised within the next five years to ten years that we won’t start seeing vaccines for various cancers,” said Evers.
Evers said the Commonwealth continues to face challenges like high poverty along with ongoing smoking and obesity issues. The Cancer Center director added studies have indicated about 17% of Kentucky citizens live in poverty.
Here's the entire interview with Dr. Evers:
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