- Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common inherited, life threatening condition affecting young Australians.
- CF is an inherited condition. For a child to be born with CF both parents must be genetic carriers for CF.
- Approximately 1 out of 25 Australians are genetic carriers for CF.
- 1 in every 2,500 babies in Australia will be born with CF.
- There are approximately 3000 people diagnosed with CF Australia wide.
- CF a complex condition that affects the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems.
- In Australia, all babies are screened at birth for the most common mutations of the CF gene using a test on a spot of blood. If this is positive, a sweat test will be done to measure the amount of salt in the sweat. It is the sweat test which provides the diagnosis of CF.
- If 2 people are genetic carriers for CF and they have a child, there is a:
- 25% chance that the child will have CF
- 50% chance that the child will be a genetic carrier for CF
- 25% chance that the child will not have CF and will not be a genetic carrier for CF.
- It is a complex condition that affects the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems.
- People with CF often require relentless treatments, significant daily medications, physiotherapy and frequent hospitalisations. There is currently no cure.
- Major advances in treatment, particularly over the last 25 years, have enabled many people with CF to live active and productive lives.
- The average life expectancy for someone with CF born today is 37.
- Most people with CF undertake a range of treatments each day to maintain the health of their lungs. Treatment can be very time consuming, and may include chest physiotherapy, multiple inhaled and oral medications, and exercise.
- Most people with CF take enzyme replacement tablets with each meal to aid digestion. For some people this can mean taking up to 40 enzyme replacements tablets a day.
- Regular visits to CF clinics, hospitalisation and antibiotic treatment are common for people with CF.
