What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal genetically inherited disease, which mainly affects the lungs and digestive system. CF causes severe breathing problems in the lungs. A build up of thick mucus makes it difficult to clear bacteria and leads to cycles of infections and inflammations, which damage the delicate lung tissues.

In the digestive track, CF makes it extremely difficult to digest and absorb adequate nutrients from food. Thick mucus also blocks the ducts of the pancreas, preventing enzymes from reaching the intestines to digest food. Consequently, people with CF must consume a large number of artificial enzymes (on average 20 pills per day) with each meal and snack, which help their bodies to absorb enough nutrition from their food. People with CF must also follow a demanding routine of physical therapy everyday to keep the lungs free of congestion and infection.

With the help of Shinerama and other fundraisers, there has been significant improvement in the survival rate of CF sufferers. As of 2002, the median age of survival of a person with Cystic Fibrosis is 37 years of age. This is a huge improvement from the 1960s, when the average age of survival was just 4 years old. The median age of survival is the age beyond which half of the CF population can be expected to live.

There is however, a long way to go to finding a cure for this disease, despite all the advancements made over the years. Better forms of treatment which will prolong life, new ways to control and combat the relentless cycle of infections and inflammations, as well as developing a comprehensive understanding of the basic defect responsible for CF, are all steps towards finding a cure or an effective control for Cystic Fibrosis.

To learn more about this disease and how you can help be a part of the fight against Cystic Fibrosis, please visit the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website at www.cysticfibrosis.ca