What is CF?

The Friends For Life Foundation works diligently to raise funds and awareness for both Cancer and Cystic Fibrosis. Almost all of us have been affected by the ravages of some form of Cancer, either directly or indirectly, during the span of our lives. We therefore share a basic understanding of what Cancer is and what it can do. In recent times, fundraising initiatives and advertising campaigns have strengthened this understanding thereby raising awareness in an effort to put an end to this devastating disease.

Cystic Fibrosis, on the other hand, remains a relatively misunderstood disorder. The harsh realization is that most people simply do not know enough about CF to consciously make an effort to fight against it. For those of you who might fall into this category this posting is for you! The following will address some of the most common questions and misunderstandings regarding Cystic Fibrosis.


What is cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians. CF is a multi-organ disease affecting primarily the lungs and the digestive system. In the lungs, CF causes severe breathing problems. A build-up of thick mucus makes it difficult to clear bacteria and leads to cycles of infection and inflammation, which damage the delicate lung tissues. They must follow a demanding daily routine of physical therapy to keep the lungs free of congestion and infection. In the digestive tract, CF makes it extremely difficult to digest and absorb adequate nutrients from food. Thick mucus blocks the ducts of the pancreas, preventing enzymes from reaching the intestines to digest food. Therefore, persons with CF must consume a large number of artificial enzymes (on average 20 pills a day) with every meal and snack, to help them absorb adequate nutrition from their food.

How many Canadians have cystic fibrosis?

It is estimated that one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has CF. At the present time, approximately 3,500 children, adolescents, and adults with cystic fibrosis attend specialized CF clinics.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis?

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

CF was first described as a disease in the late 1930s. At that time, it was usually recognized only after a child had died, often as a result of malnutrition or pneumonia. Medical awareness of CF has increased tremendously over the years. Nevertheless, cystic fibrosis can still be confused with other common diseases -- such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or pneumonia, and celiac disease.

What Causes Cystic Fibrosis?

People are born with cystic fibrosis; it is a genetic disorder. Approximately one in every 25 Canadians carries a defective version of the gene responsible for CF. A carrier has only one copy of the gene responsible for CF. Carriers do not have cystic fibrosis, and can never get the disease. In most cases, they are not even aware that they are carriers, because they do not have cystic fibrosis, or any of its symptoms.

How is CF diagnosed?

If a physician suspects CF, he or she will probably suggest a "sweat test". This simple and painless test measures the amount of salt in the sweat. A high salt level, along with other symptoms, points to the presence of cystic fibrosis. Increasingly, genetic tests are being used in the diagnosis of the disease. Genetic tests are also used to diagnose CF prenatally.

When is cystic fibrosis diagnosed?

Approximately 60% of patients are diagnosed in the first year of life, and 90% by 10 years of age.

How is CF treated?

Treatment programs are tailored to individual needs and depend upon the stage of the disease and which organs are affected. Treatments followed at home generally include: tapping or "clapping" the chest and the back vigorously(percussion) or PEP (positive expiratory pressure) Mask Therapy or other forms of chest physiotherapy to help loosen the mucus which clogs the lungs; taking pancreatic enzymes with all meals, to aid digestion; taking nutritional supplements and vitamins to promote good nutrition; taking antibiotics in pill, intravenous (IV), and or inhaled forms, to ease congestion and protect against and fight lung infection; exercise.

How does cystic fibrosis affect daily life?

For persons with CF, life includes a daily routine of therapy and periodic visits to a CF clinic. Otherwise, most individuals with cystic fibrosis lead normal lives, for many years, in terms of education, physical activity, and social relationships. Eventually, however, lung disease places increasing limits on daily life. Thanks to advances in research and clinical care, growing numbers of children with CF are surviving into adulthood. In 1960 a child born with cystic fibrosis rarely lived four years. Today, half of all Canadians with CF are expected to live into their late-thirties and beyond. In 2006, for the first time, more than 50% of all Canadians with CF were 18 years and older. These men and women are pursuing post-secondary education, careers and many are having families of their own; a tremendous accomplishment, but not enough.

Is There a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis?

As yet, there is no known cure for CF, but there is real hope. Comprehensive treatment programs have dramatically extended the lives of persons with CF and many are living into their 20s, 30s and beyond. As of 2002, the median age of survival of Canadians with cystic fibrosis is 37 years of age. The median age of survival is the age beyond which half of the CF population can be expected to live. Since 1989 when Canadian researchers discovered the gene responsible for CF, global research to find a cure for the disease has brought us closer and closer to a solution. The pace of CF science suggests that there is good reason to feel optimistic about the future.

Hopefully this article has helped de-mystify some of the common misconceptions that surround CF!

Thanks for checking in.

The FFL crew.