Devon man learns CF after fertility testing

A Devon man discovers cystic fibrosis during fertility treatment, changing his outlook on life.

Devon dad learns he has cystic fibrosis after fertility struggles

Simon Wade, 41, from Devon, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in February 2023 after fertility tests showed DNA markers. He had long been treated as having asthma and believed he was healthy, but ongoing struggles to conceive led doctors to test further. With the help of IVF, Wade and his partner Hannah welcomed their daughter Ava in December 2023, and Ava tested negative for the CF gene. Wade has not taken CF medication and instead relies on fitness and physiotherapy as his main treatment, a path doctors say could change if his health worsens.

CF is a lifelong genetic condition that affects lungs and digestion. In the UK, more people with CF live longer now thanks to new treatments, but the condition remains serious. Wade notes that the heel prick newborn test only started across the UK in 2007, so his own diagnosis came late. He ran the London Marathon to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, reflecting a growing movement to raise awareness and support research.

This story highlights how adult CF can go undiagnosed, especially when symptoms resemble common conditions such as asthma. It shows the value of fertility testing as a gateway to broader health checks, but also the gaps in screening that allowed a diagnosis to come late.

It also demonstrates how medical progress turns private pain into public advocacy. Personal stories like Wade's can drive donations and attention to research, while reminding readers that living with CF involves ongoing choices about treatment, exercise, and quality of life.

Highlights

Awareness and research give families more moments to share.