When Jean was suffering from the disease there was no correct diagnosis which brought her to the last stage of the disease. Hence CPF helped patients educate themselves about the disease. CPF was formed by a group of physicians, patients, family members and non-profit organizations who saw a huge unmet need. It has set various options of treatment for those suffering from IPF such as lung transplantation and pulmonary rehabilitation. CPF has added a network of 35 support groups and important patient access to physician referrals.
In 1999 the American Thoracic Society released a consensus statement regarding the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. It is thought that genetics may play a role in the causes of IPF for some patients. But the genetic link has not been pinpointed. several investigational therapies are in the pipeline such as interferon gamma 1-b, pirfenidone, imatinib mesylate, etanerrcept, and iloprost-listed alpha that may hold the key to life-saving treatments for the disease.