Cystic fibrosis carrier screening

Cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier screening is a genetic test that shows if you are a carrier of the changed gene that causes CF. The test can help you find out if you and your partner have an increased chance of having a child born with CF.

Cystic fibrosis carrier screening is done to find out if you are a carrier of a changed gene that causes cystic fibrosis.

Some people choose to have this test if:

• They are pregnant or are thinking about getting pregnant.
• Cystic fibrosis runs in their family or their partner's family (or both).
• They want to know the risk that they could pass on the disease to their child.

Others choose not to have the test because the results would not change their decisions about having children.

This test does a good job of detecting if a person is a carrier of the most common changes in the gene that can cause cystic fibrosis (CF). But not all gene changes that cause CF are included in the screening. There is a small risk that you may still be a CF carrier even when the test results show that you are not a carrier.