What is cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system.
Carrier Testing for CFNewborn ScreeningCystic fibrosis is an inherited condition that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system.
Carrier Testing for CFNewborn ScreeningIt is important to note that if you are reading this for the first time or if you have just been told that your child has cystic fibrosis (CF) that you know that there have been very good advances in CF care in recent years. These advances include exciting new drug therapies that treat the underlying cause of disease; improved CF centres, including those funded by or through the advocacy of CFI and good support networks for parents and people with CF. We are here to help you and you will be looked after by a multi-disciplinary team in your CF centre.
Cystic fibrosis is a multi-organ disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:
The impact of CF can vary from one person to another. There are some people with CF who live until their teens and there are others that live in to their 50’s. Ireland has among some of the most severe strains of CF and also has the highest incidence (per head of population) of CF in the world, with three times the rate of the United States and the rest of the European Union. However it is important that we now have a network of centres of expertise in place and dedicated multi-disciplinary teams lead by specialised CF consultants.
Symptoms of cystic fibrosis
People with CF can have a variety of symptoms, including:
Ireland has the highest rate of CF per capita in the world, with approximately 1,400 children and adults in Ireland living with the condition.
CF in Ireland Statistics
Advances in Care and Therapies in Ireland
For further information you can contact the Member Services Team as follows:
Name | Position | Phone | |
---|---|---|---|
Samantha Byrne | Member Services Senior Co-ordinator | sbyrne@cfireland.ie | 01 496 2433 ext 200 |
Caroline Heffernan | CF Advocate | cheffernan@cfireland.ie | 087 932 3933 |
Rory Tallon | CF Advocate | rtallon@cfireland.ie | 087 932 3930 |