Cystic Fibrosis

Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for CF, only treatments aimed at minimizing the severity of the symptoms and improving quality of life. Treatment goals usually involve activities to loosen and remove excess mucus from the lungs, prevent lung infections and blockages in the gastrointestinal tract, and to provide adequate nutrition with specialized diets. Some therapies may include exercise regimens and physical therapy as well as drugs such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and bronchodilators.

Prevention of CF is not currently possible except through a combination of targeted population screening for carrier status and genetic counseling about a couple’s CF risk.

Early detection can be accomplished with CF gene mutation testing prenatally, using amniocentesis or chorionic villus collection procedures. Newborn screening programs are starting to add IRT testing and CF gene mutation testing to their menus. Early identification of CF allows parents to get education, referral to a CF center for specialized help, and to start early treatments in their infants to minimize nutritional problems and lung damage.

Some CF patients may undergo a lung transplant, but it is not yet clear if this procedure allows patients with CF to live longer or improves their quality of life.

Research is being conducted to develop a cure and to enhance treatments. Great strides have been made over the past 10 years, which are allowing some people with CF to live longer with some improvement in quality of life.