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Quick Facts about Cystic Fibrosis:
Pronunciation:
- How the doctor will say it: [( sis -tik feye- broh -sis)] 1
- How kids will say it: (six-ty five roses)
- What the cool kids call it: C. F.
What causes it?
- CF is a genetic disease
- The brain of the cells, a.k.a. DNA, makes a mistake
- That mistake causes the body to make a SUPER STICKY, SUPER THICK MUCUS
What is wrong with a little STICKY, THICK MUCUS?
- This MUCUS gets stuck in the LUNGS making it difficult to breathe & increases risk of infection
- This MUCUS can block the PANCREAS making it difficult to digest and take in nutrients from food
When will I know if it is CF?
- Newborn Screenings can test for CF
- 3/4 of those with CF diagnosed before age 2
How many people have CF now?
- 30,000 in the US
- 70,000 in the WORLD
- estimated 10,000,000 people worldwide have one defective gene they can pass to children
Is there a cure?
- currently no cure, BUT researchers have found some AMAZING ways to fight it
- Check out the PROGRESS helping those with CF live longer lives!
Image obtained from <http://www.bennettsbrigade.com/life-expectancy> |
If the trend continues, how long might someone with CF expect to live now?
What about 10 years from now in 2025? in 2050?
Citations:
1. cystic fibrosis. (n.d.). The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved January 08, 2015, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cystic fibrosis
2. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Home. (n.d.). Retrieved January 9, 2015, from http://www.cff.org
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