Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening

Should I Be Screened?

The decision to have cystic fibrosis carrier screening is a personal one. You may wish to be tested if you are concerned that you or your partner might be carriers of CF. This may be more likely if either of you have a family member with the disease. ³

Some people decide to be tested to help determine their risks if they choose to have children. Among whites, about 1 in 29 is a carrier of a defective CF gene. CF is much less common in other racial and ethnic groups.⁴

Carrier testing is expensive. Another factor that may guide the decision to have testing is whether the cost of testing is covered by your insurance company.

You may decide to have carrier testing for CF if you are already pregnant. The test results may influence your decision about your pregnancy or help you make decisions about the care of your newborn child.

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: June 26, 2007
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Susanna McColley, MD - Pediatric Pulmonology
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