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What is Cystic Fibrosis
What is Cystic Fibrosis (CF)?
CF is an inherited disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems. Thick mucus clogs the lungs and prevents the pancreas from properly aiding in food digestion. This leads to life-threatening lung infections, difficulty in breaking down food, and poor nutrient absorption. Due to advances in medicine, the average life expectancy for individuals with CF is currently about 38 years.
Who is a CF Carrier?
All individuals inherit two copies of every gene, one from each parent. A CF carrier is a person who has one normal and one defective CF gene. Carriers do not have the disease or any symptoms of the disease.
You are more likely to be a CF carrier if you:
- Have family members who are carriers
- Are of European Caucasian or Ashkenazi Jewish descent
The chances of being a CF carrier are shown below:
