Cystic Fibrosis Canada – BC Region

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. Two children per week were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in 2011. CF is a multi-system disease, primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system. In the lungs, where the effects of the disease are most devastating, a build-up of thick mucus causes increasingly severe respiratory problems. Mucus and protein also build up in the digestive tract making it difficult to digest and absorb nutrients from food. Large quantities of digestive enzymes must be consumed with every meal and snack. As improved therapies have helped to…