Cystic Fibrosis and the Family

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a highly heterogeneous, life-shortening, multisystem genetic disease that involves daily management activities over the course of the disease. Once a disease that primarily affected children, today the median predicted survival is beyond 37 years of age and more than 40% of those affected with CF are adults, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

CF merits important consideration within the context of the family not only because of its impact on individuals and families, and its extending presence across the individual and family life cycle, but because of its genetic implications for the immediate and extended family. This entry provides an overview of CF and its treatment, as well as family management and family considerations. CF is discussed in terms of the affected ...