What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide) have CF.

In people with CF, a defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:

• Clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections.
  
  
• Obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down food and absorb vital nutrients.

Quick Facts about CF.

In the United States:

• About 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year.
  
  
• More than 75 percent of people with CF are
  diagnosed by age 2.
  
  
• Nearly half of the CF population is age 18 or older.