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7 Lesser-Known Facts about Cystic Fibrosis

By: Jeff Hayward on Wednesday, March 16th

Cystic Fibrosis, or CF as it’s commonly referred to, is a genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive systems and is often fatal. While it’s a fairly well-known disease, there are only about 70,000 people living with CF in the entire world.

Those with CF often are mistaken for having a cold (from mucus buildup in the lungs) or an eating disorder, as it’s difficult to keep weight on due to the disorder. Here are 7 things to know about CF that might not be common knowledge…

1. It’s Not Just a Childhood Disease

CF has traditionally been typecast as a disorder of the young, however thanks to medical advances the life expectancy of a person with CF has raised. According to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, today almost 60-percent of all CF patients are adults.

CF Canada also helped support the production of a book called Salty Girls by Canadian photographer Ian Ross Pettigrew (and CF patient), which aims to raise awareness about adult females with CF. The book has since received international attention.

Cystic Fibrosis

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