Episode Description
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 profiling
- The challenges patients face at diagnosis, including limited time with physicians and information overload
- How patients can better prepare for doctor visits and advocate for the testing and care they need
- The critical (and often underutilized) role of patient advocacy groups and navigators
- Why caregivers play such an important role in decision-making and support
- The gaps in care coordination—and how fragmented systems create friction for patients
- Why diagnostic innovation isn’t always visible to patients—and how that impacts awareness and access
- The importance of collaboration across providers, researchers, payers, and innovators
- How Kathy built the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation into a “doer” organization driving real change in research and care
- The need for continuous testing and monitoring throughout the entire patient journey—not just at diagnosis
- How shared decision-making is reshaping the relationship between patients and providers
The 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.
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