From Diagnosis to Decisions: A Patient’s Guide to Personalized Care

Why is personalized medicine still so difficult for patients to navigate in practice?In this episode, Perry is joined by patient advocate and Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation co-founder Kathy Giusti for a candid conversation that brings the patient's journey into sharp focus. Drawing from her experience as both a multiple myeloma and breast cancer survivor, Kathy shares what personalized medicine looks like from the patient side—complex, fast-moving, and often overwhelming without the right support systems in place.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why personalized medicine goes far beyond a diagnosis—and requires deeper understanding through genomic sequencing, biomarker testing, and immune profilingThe challenges patients face at diagnosis, including limited time with physicians and information overloadHow patients can better prepare for doctor visits and advocate for the testing and care they needThe critical (and often underutilized) role of patient advocacy groups and navigatorsWhy caregivers play such an important role in decision-making and supportThe gaps in care coordination—and how fragmented systems create friction for patientsWhy diagnostic innovation isn’t always visible to patients—and how that impacts awareness and accessThe importance of collaboration across providers, researchers, payers, and innovatorsHow Kathy built the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation into a “doer” organization driving real change in research and careThe need for continuous testing and monitoring throughout the entire patient journey—not just at diagnosisHow shared decision-making is reshaping the relationship between patients and providersThe conversation closes with a forward-looking perspective on the future of personalized medicine—where prevention, earlier intervention, and more integrated care models could dramatically improve outcomes and reduce the burden on patients.—-------Stay connected with our host, Perry Dimas, here on LinkedIn! 📧 Interested in joining our medical director advisory group? Email us at [email protected] 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/accessdx