How a Simple Genetic Test Could Stop Chemo from Killing You | Karen Merritt

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 #TestBeforeChemoColorectalCancer Alliance: https://colorectalcancer.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/5FU_guide.pdfKaran Merritt, co-founder Advocates for Universal DPD/DPYD Testing www.test4dpd.orgGenetics For Healthcare:Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5tvMOrd9RyHLdOEGFNWavq?si=18815af6d1fe4da0⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GeneticsForHealthcare⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/geneticsforhealthcare/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@genetics.for.healthcare⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/genetics-for-healthcare-podcast/⁠#PrecisionMedicine #CancerCare #PatientAdvocacy