Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a fatal, genetic disease that affects 30,000 people in
the US and 70,000 worldwide. A person with CF inherits a copy of the defective
gene from both parents.
The defective gene prevents a protein from working properly
and this leads to the build-up of mucus that clogs the airways of the lungs and
leads to life threatening lung diseases and decreased lung function. Mucus also
builds up in the pancreas preventing critical enzymes from aiding digestion of
food and absorption of nutrients. Symptoms of CF include: persistent coughing, frequent
lung infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, wheezing or shortness of
breath and poor growth or poor weight gain in spite of a good appetite.
50 years ago people diagnosed with CF rarely lived long
enough to finish elementary school. Now, the average life expectancy is 37
years. Thanks to organizations that fund CF research, the gene that causes CF
was discovered in 1989 leading to targeted screening and diagnosis along with
drug and treatments development to help ease the symptoms of cystic fibrosis.
Research is now focused on developing drugs that treat the underlying cause of
the disease.
Visit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for more information.
Visit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for more information.
