Cystic Fibrosis

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder. Although it is rare, it is the most common genetic disorder among Caucasians and affects 1 in every 7,000 people in Portugal.

A person with cystic fibrosis has a dysfunction of the exocrine glands, which produce abnormal secretions that affect the lungs, digestive system, sweat glands, and genitourinary system.

Although there is no cure, early diagnosis of the disease can substantially increase patients’ average life expectancy, which has risen from 10 years in the 1960s to 40.7 years today.