Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening

Why Not Be Screened?

There may be reasons you would choose not to have carrier testing.

• You think that your risk of being a carrier is low. This may be true if you are an African American or an Asian American. The incidence of CF is lower in these groups.
• You are already pregnant and the information obtained from testing will not affect your decision to continue your pregnancy. Remember, though, that CF test results can provide valuable information for the care of your unborn child.
• Carrier testing is expensive. You may decide not to have testing if your insurance does not pay for it.
• Testing does not identify all people who have a mutation in the CF gene. There is a small chance that you are a carrier even if the results are normal (negative).

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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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