When Karen Merritt’s mother started chemotherapy for cancer, no one told her family about DPYD testing, a simple genetic test that could have predicted her fatal reaction to the common chemo drugs called fluoropyrimidines (like 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine). Within weeks of her first infusion, she died from severe toxicity, while Medicare spent $500,000 on futile treatment.
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
Advocates for Universal DPD/DPYD Testing www.test4dpd.org
Link to colorectalcanceralliance.org 5FU side-effects
*(Episode trigger warning: Descriptions of severe medical trauma.)*
