TAFINLAR + MEKINIST Supporting your health | Ask Alia

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Your team

Your care team will provide you with a treatment plan which will be the main driver of medical control.

You can also support your health with everyday actions. You do not need to do everything at once; one small change at a time can help.

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Look after your lungs

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If smoking is part of your life, you should quit. Your healthcare team can support you with this if you need help. You should also avoid second-hand and environmental smoke, ask people not to smoke around you and avoid going outside if you may be exposed to smoke.

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Fuel your body

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It's important that you give your body plenty of energy by eating well, but having a chronic lung condition can make it hard. Small, frequent meals can help you maintain calorie and protein intake, which supports recovery. Take your time when eating, and try to choose soft, easy to chew food.

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Keep moving

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Staying active when you have a lung condition is hard. Talk to your healthcare team about ways you can keep moving. Short walks, gentle stretching, or chair exercises can help maintain strength and energy. If possible, try to continue activities you used to enjoy before you were diagnosed. You may need to make some changes, but it can be good to get back to ˘normalˇ life.

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Watch your weight

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Maintaining a healthy weight is important to keeping your body working well. Losing too much weight can impact your energy and make you more susceptible to getting sick. Gaining too much weight makes your lungs work harder and increases the risk of you developing other conditions.

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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
  2. june 2026).
  3. TAFINLAR Australian approved Consumer Medicine Information.
  4. MEKINIST Australian approved Consumer Medicine Information.
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