BRAF in Melanoma: Answering Questions, Addressing Misconceptions

In the resources provided below, the faculty 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.

“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?”

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

“I am BRAF positive. That’s bad. It means my tumor 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.”

“I am stage II. They don’t test for BRAF in stage II patients.”

“Who should be tested for BRAF?”

“How is the BRAF test performed?”

“How long does the test take to perform?”

“Is the BRAF test reimbursed?”

“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.”

BRAF Genetic Test. Medline Plus. Available at https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/braf-genetic-test/ Accessed November 13, 2019.

Know Your Test Program (genetic mutation testing at no cost, offered by Novartis and Quest Diagnostics). Available at https://www.knownowbraf.com/ Accessed November 13, 2019.

Options for Stage III Melanoma. Making the Decision that’s Right for You. Available at: https://themelanomahub.org/options-for-stage-iii-melanoma/ Accessed November 13, 2019.