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Melanoma Nursing Initiative Resources Customized for the Australian Audience

 

BRAF in Melanoma: Answering Questions, Addressing Misconceptions

In the resources provided below, the AIM at Melanoma Foundation provides answers to questions and addresses misconceptions raised by patients regarding BRAF in melanoma. The patient-directed resources address what BRAF is, the role of BRAF in melanoma, what BRAF mutational status means, testing for BRAF, and the implications of the test results for treatment planning. The answers are provided by Lisa Kottschade, APRN, MSN, CNP, Associate Professor of Oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and an expert faculty member of the Melanoma Nursing Initiative.

We thank Novartis Pharmaceuticals for an unrestricted educational grant in support of this important educational initiative. We also thank Tamara Dawson, of the Melanoma & Skin Cancer Advocacy Network, for her review and customization of these materials for the Australian audience.

New! BRAF Q&A Compendium

Print out this pamphlet, which provides Ms. Kottschade’s commentary for specific questions/statements about BRAF.

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BRAF Q&A Videos

Click on the videos below to watch Ms. Kottschade’s commentary about BRAF. Below the videos, we have also listed some resources patients might find helpful as they navigate BRAF testing and management of their melanoma.

ABOUT BRAF

“What Is BRAF?”

“So BRAF is inherited. If my parents have the mutation, I will inherit it.”

“If I have a BRAF mutation, does that mean I need to get screened for other cancers?”

WHAT YOUR BRAF STATUS MEANS

“I am young, so it makes sense that my tumour would have a BRAF mutation.”

“I am BRAF positive. That’s bad. It means my tumour will come back.”

“I am BRAF negative. That means I am going to be OK.”

“You need to know your BRAF status, because it will tell you how you developed your melanoma and what you need to avoid so you don’t develop another one.”

BRAF TESTING

“Who should be tested for BRAF?”

“How is the BRAF test performed?”

“How long does the test take to perform?”

BRAF TESTING AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR TREATMENT OPTIONS

“If I am BRAF positive, it means I’m being treated with regular chemotherapy.”

“If I find out that I’m BRAF positive, then I’ll have to take the “BRAF drug” before they allow me to take the really good medicine, immunotherapy.”

“If I am BRAF negative, I won’t be able to get an effective therapy.”

© 2020 The Melanoma Nursing Initiative. All rights reserved.