What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a fatal inherited disease, affecting mainly the lungs and the digestive system. In the lungs, where the effects of the disease are most devastating, CF causes severe breathing problems. In the digestive tract, CF often results in extreme difficulty in digesting and absorbing adequate nutrients from food.

Children and adults with CF must consume a large number of artificial enzymes to help them absorb sufficient nutrition, and must undergo a demanding daily routine of physical therapy designed to keep the lungs free of congestion and infection.

What causes cystic fibrosis?

People are born with cystic fibrosis; it is a genetic disorder. Approximately one in every 25 Canadians is a carrier of the gene, which causes CF. If two persons who carry the CF gene have a child, there is a one in four chance that the baby will be born with cystic fibrosis. It is estimated that one in every 3600 children born in Canada has CF. This population increase over the past few years is due to improved survival.

Is there a cure for cystic fibrosis?

As yet, there is no know cure for CF, but there is real hope.

Since 1960, the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has worked to find a cure or control for CF. With developments in research and treatment in Canada, the median age of survival has increased from four years in 1960, to over 37 years today; a tremendous accomplishment, but not enough.

What are the signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis?

• constant cough which expels thick mucus;
• excessive appetite, combined with weight loss;
• bowel disturbances;
• skin which tastes salty;
• repeated of prolonged bouts of pneumonia.

For more information please contact the chapter or see the National Web Site.