Knowing your BRAF mutation status can help your health care provider consider the full range of treatments available to you.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP IN FIGHTING MELANOMA YOUR GUIDE TO DISCUSSING BRAF
KnowNowBRAF.com
TESTING WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER Knowing the BRAF status of your melanoma today may help your health care provider make more informed treatment decisions for tomorrow. Download and print this guide to help aid in the discussion between you and your health care provider about the next steps in your treatment journey. WHAT IS BRAF ? BRAF is a gene in your body’s cells. When you test positive for a BRAF mutation, a change in the BRAF gene, this means you may have an aggressive form of melanoma which may be associated with worse outcomes. Approximately one out of every 2 patients with melanoma are BRAF +. Knowing your BRAF status can help your health care provider choose the best melanoma treatment option for you. WHY SHOULD YOU TEST FOR BRAF ? Understanding your BRAF mutation status can be a helpful tool as your health care provider recommends a treatment plan. When your health care provider knows if you are BRAF +, he or she will have a better understanding of all of the available medications to give you to begin treatment. This is especially true if your melanoma is more advanced and has spread to other parts of your body.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT TESTING FOR BRAF ? Requesting a test for BRAF is easy—just ask your health care provider.
Novartis offers the Know Now BRAF Testing Program at no cost to you—whether or not you are BRAF +. After taking a tissue sample, your health care provider will print, complete, and send the BRAF Test Request Form to Quest. Ask him or her to request a test—he or she can download the BRAF Test Request Form and get answers to any questions by visiting KnowNow BRAF .com or by calling 1-866-226-8046. HOW CAN YOU START A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER? When it comes to fighting melanoma, knowledge is power. You can start the conversation with your health care provider by asking these simple questions:
What type of melanoma do I have?
What stage of melanoma do I have?
Was BRAF testing completed?
What is my BRAF status?
ASK YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR BRAF MUTATION TESTING AND TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR MELANOMA TREATMENT FROM THE START
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