Key Clinical Summary: BRAF-driven treatment decisions - The patient perspective
This is a micro-learning module summary of a session where a patient advocate shares their lived experience which you can find here. Before participating, please read our CME and disclosure information which can be found here.
Acknowledgment: This program is supported by an educational grant from Pfizer. It is designed only for healthcare professionals in the United States.
Introduction
This interview explores Laura’s personal journey from the first subtle sign of illness through her eventual diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer. She reflects on the emotional upheaval of those early days, the confusion surrounding biomarker testing, and the challenges of navigating complex medical information while coping with fear and uncertainty. Laura also shares how her care team communicated with her, what helped – and what didn’t – during treatment decision-making, and what she believes patients need most from healthcare professionals when starting targeted therapy. Her story offers valuable insight for clinicians seeking to communicate compassionately and support patients more effectively.
Can you start by sharing your story, from your first symptoms to your lung cancer diagnosis?
“My story began in 2015. I had just retired from my job and was preparing to move house. One morning, I cleared my throat and noticed a tiny thread of blood in the mucus. I had no other symptoms, but I made an appointment with my primary care doctor. They referred me to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialist, who found irritation in my throat but ordered a chest X-ray just to be safe.
By the time I got home from the X-ray, the hospital called asking me to return for a CT (computed tomography) scan because they had seen a lung nodule. Shortly afterwards, I was told to follow-up with a pulmonologist. The first pulmonologist wasn’t particularly concerned and suggested we simply monitor it. Another pulmonologist had a similar reaction and told me things looked like an infiltrate.
But in July 2016, I started experiencing severe pain in the back of my neck. After more appointments, an orthopedist reviewed the scans and told me directly that it looked like cancer. I was shocked and furious that no one had told me sooner. That period was overwhelming, full of confusion, fear, and disbelief.”
When did you first learn about biomarker or molecular testing?
“I vaguely remember my thoracic oncologist mentioning biomarker testing early on, but I was in such a state of shock that I didn’t fully register what he was explaining. Later, the biopsy showed that I had a targetable mutation, but at the time I didn’t truly understand what that meant. It took me a while, and more exposure to support groups and patient resources, before the concept of biomarker testing made sense to me.”
Based on your experience, what advice would you give clinicians when explaining biomarker testing to patients?
“When you’re newly diagnosed with lung cancer, you’re terrified and focused on one thing: “How long do I have?” It’s incredibly hard to absorb complex medical information. My advice is for the oncology team to connect newly diagnosed patients with supportive groups immediately so they can talk openly about fears, mortality, and how the diagnosis will affect their families.
I would also encourage clinicians to point patients toward biomarker-specific advocacy groups. These communities are active, supportive, and full of people who genuinely understand. Later, once the initial shock has settled, clinicians should revisit biomarker information and make sure the patient truly understands what it means for their treatment.”
Once your test results were in, how did your care team discuss your first treatment plan? What helped you feel confident?
“I felt like I was in an altered state throughout those early discussions. My oncologist explained that my mutation had a targeted therapy available and started me on medication. I received written information about the drug and its side effects, which scared me.
At that stage, knowing I was stage IV and incurable, I don’t think anything could have fully reassured me. I was devastated. What I remember most is simply that I was started on the right medication and hoped it would work.”
What can a clinical team do to help patients feel comfortable calling about new or worsening side effects?
“I experienced a nasty rash on my face from the medication, and my care team told me to stop treatment for a week. The rash improved, and I resumed the medication after 10 days at a lower dose. But what mattered most was having someone on staff who responded quickly and didn’t make me feel guilty for calling.
In my experience, some staff members make patients like me feel like a burden. What patients need is a team that is compassionate, responsive, and reassuring; people who treat us with respect when we’re scared and vulnerable.”
What do you see as the biggest unmet need or communication gap for patients starting targeted therapy?
“The biggest unmet need is psychological support. Patients need help to cope with fear, anxiety, and the impossible task of telling family and friends that they may have a terminal illness. We also need clinicians to explain diagnoses in clear, simple language and to point us to trustworthy places where we can learn more.
Access to patient educators, nurse navigators, financial support programs, palliative care, and medication assistance is also essential. Even though many institutions claim to work as a team, patients are often bounced between providers when problems arise. That’s exhausting when you're already overwhelmed.”
If you could give one piece of advice to all healthcare professionals, what would it be?
“Be kind. Be compassionate. Don’t talk down to patients. Listen to us instead of talking at us. Use patient-friendly language. Allow us to share in decision-making if we want to. Don’t rush us through appointments.
And please stay open-minded about complementary therapies recommended by qualified professionals. Many of us are looking for every reasonable way to improve our quality of life. More than anything, remember that your kindness makes an enormous difference to people facing the scariest time of their lives.”
Conclusion
Laura’s experiences highlight the profound emotional and informational challenges patients face when navigating a lung cancer diagnosis, including the complexity of understanding biomarker testing during an already overwhelming time. Her reflections underscore the importance of clear communication, responsive care teams, and compassionate support throughout the treatment journey. By listening to patients, using accessible language, and offering meaningful resources, healthcare professionals can ease fear, empower informed decision-making, and help patients feel less alone during one of the most challenging periods of their lives.
Content is accurate as of the date of release on 6 January 2026.