This is GENETICS FOR HEALTHCARE—a podcast dedicated to helping patients and caregivers advocate for precision medicine in treatment, survivorship, disease screening, and prevention. #geneticsforhealthcare

(Episode trigger warning: Descriptions of severe medical trauma.)

In this powerful episode, Karen shares:

- Why thousands of cancer patients are being poisoned because DPYD testing isn’t standard in the U.S.—unlike Europe.

- How underreporting of adverse events masks the true death toll from excessive toxicity. Many fatalities are not accurately noted because patients aren’t being tested.

- The shocking financial cost of ignoring this test—half a million dollars wasted on one preventable death.

- A recent victory: The FDA updated safety labels for fluoropyrimidines, but most doctors still don’t know DPYD testing exists.

- How patients are fighting back! Including one woman who demanded the test, discovered she was DPD-deficient, and saved her own life.

If you or a loved one are facing chemotherapy, this episode could be the difference between life and death. Learn the critical questions to ask your oncologist—before starting treatment.🔗

Resources & Advocacy:

DPYD Foundation: https://www.dpyd.org #TestBeforeChemoColorectal

Cancer Alliance: https://colorectalcancer.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/5FU_guide.pdf

Karan Merritt, co-founder Advocates for Universal DPD/DPYD Testing www.test4dpd.org

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#PrecisionMedicine #CancerCare #PatientAdvocacy