Notable Facts about Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Five million people worldwide are affected by pulmonary fibrosis
- 40,000 people die from Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) annually (The same number of fatalities as breast cancer)
- ANYONE can get PF – adults between ages 30-80 are at higher risk
- Treatment – There is currently no FDA approved treatment or cure for PF
- Since 1999 the number of patients with PF has increased by 156%
- More than 50% of cases are misdiagnosed for a year or more
- PF is relentlessly progressive and terminal: Patients typically pass away within two to five years of
diagnosis - PF is relentlessly progressive and terminal: Patients typically pass away within two to five years of
diagnosis - PF receives considerably less funding than other rare, deadly diseases that affect fewer people, such as ALS
- Lung Transplantation is currently the only treatment option to extend survival