What is non-small cell lung cancer?

Lung cancer makes up 9% of all new cancer diagnoses in Australia, with 15,000 people diagnosed each year. It's the fourth most common cancer in Australia after prostate cancer, breast cancer and melanoma.¹

Lung cancer is broadly divided into two categories, small cell and non-small cell, based on the size of the cancer cells when viewed under a microscope. Up to 90% of all lung cancers are the non-small cell form (NSCLC), and these are further divided into subtypes based on the type of cell that the cancer has come from.

Common subtypes of NSCLC include:

• Adenocarcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Large cell carcinoma

While lung cancer starts in the lungs, it can spread to nearby tissue and sometimes, other parts of the body. When the cancer spreads from the lung to other parts of the body, it is called metastatic lung cancer.

Risk factors for lung cancer

What is BRAF?

BRAF (pronounced "bee-raf") is a gene involved in controlling cell growth through the MAPK pathway. 

Usually, this gene is only "switched on" when cell growth is needed. However, some mutations in BRAF can cause the gene to become stuck on, leading to abnormal cell growth and cancer. V600E is a common type of BRAF mutation in which one amino acid, valine (V), is replaced by glutamic acid (E) at position 600.

In the majority of cases, a BRAF mutation occurs randomly during a person's lifetime and is not inherited. This means the mutation also cannot be passed on to children. Very rarely, BRAF mutations can be inherited. When this happens, they may affect multiple cells throughout the body and can lead to serious health problems.

Your oncologist or oncology nurse is the best person to give you advice on your treatment.

The information on this website has been adapted from the TAFINLAR and MEKINIST Consumer Medicine Information. Consumer Medicine Information is available from: www.novartis.com/au-en/products/consumer-information

 ▼ This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring in Australia. This will allow for quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse events at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

©2026 Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited 
ABN 18 004 244 160. Level 25, 155 Miller Street North Sydney, NSW 2060. AU-30486. Ward7 NOIM37158M. June 2026.

References: 

1. Cancer Australia. Lung cancer in Australia statistics. www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/lung-cancer/lung-cancer-australia-statistics (accessed June 2026).
2. TAFINLAR Australian approved Consumer Medicine Information.
3. MEKINIST Australian approved Consumer Medicine Information.