Every September, Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of a condition that affects around 70,000 people in the UK. While numbers can help us understand prevalence, they don’t tell the full story. Behind each statistic are individuals and families navigating a life-altering disease that remains under-recognised and underfunded in research.

What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, progressive lung disease where healthy lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Over time, the scarring (fibrosis) reduces the lungs’ ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream, leading to breathlessness, fatigue, and reduced quality of life.

There are different forms of PF, but Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) – where no clear cause can be identified – is the most common and most severe. Other types may be linked to autoimmune conditions, occupational exposures, medications, or environmental factors. Raising awareness during Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month helps highlight these distinctions.

Current Treatment Options for Pulmonary Fibrosis

There is no cure for PF, but treatment can slow progression and improve symptoms:

  • Anti-fibrotic medicines such as pirfenidone and nintedanib can help slow the rate of scarring in patients with IPF

  • Oxygen therapy can support those with low oxygen levels, helping reduce breathlessness and fatigue

  • Pulmonary rehabilitation – structured exercise and education programmes – can enhance quality of life

  • Lung transplantation may be an option for some patients with advanced disease

Symptom management and holistic care, including psychological and palliative support, are also vital parts of a patient’s journey.

The Importance of Research in Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month

Despite advances, PF remains a devastating condition with a median survival of 3–5 years after diagnosis in IPF. Research is urgently needed to:

  • Improve early diagnosis: PF is often misdiagnosed as asthma, COPD, or general ageing, delaying treatment

  • Develop new therapies: Existing anti-fibrotics slow but do not stop disease progression

  • Understand genetic and environmental risk factors: This could help predict who is most at risk

  • Explore regenerative medicine: Approaches such as stem cell therapy offer potential for repairing damaged lung tissue

Encouragingly, clinical trials are ongoing worldwide, exploring novel drug classes, biomarkers, and advanced imaging techniques to better understand and treat PF. For more information, visit the British Lung Foundation.

Raising Awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is often described as a “hidden” disease. Many people have never heard of it until diagnosis, and awareness remains low compared to other long-term conditions. Awareness months like September are crucial to:

  • Empower patients and families with knowledge

  • Encourage earlier recognition and referral by healthcare professionals

  • Drive funding and participation in clinical research

  • Advocate for improved access to treatments and specialist services

Final Thought on Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month

For the 70,000 people in the UK living with PF, and the many more worldwide, awareness is not just about numbers; it is about lives, voices, and the urgent need for progress. As clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals, we all have a role to play in improving diagnosis, care, and outcomes for this community.

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