Carol Rosen, a 70-year-old retired schoolteacher, died in excruciating pain three weeks after taking chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. She suffered severe side effects from the drug, including kidney and liver failure, due to a genetic deficiency that causes the drug to stay in the body longer than usual. Despite the availability of tests to detect this deficiency, only a small percentage of oncologists in the U.S. routinely order them before administering the drugs. European authorities recommend testing for the deficiency, and some U.S. hospital systems have implemented testing programs. More widespread testing and awareness of the risks associated with these chemotherapy drugs are needed to prevent unnecessary deaths.
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Overdosing on Chemo: A Common Gene Test Could Save Hundreds of Lives Each Year
