Over three quarters of people with cancer could be suffering money worries or financial hardship according to a survey by Macmillan Cancer Relief.  Cancer patients have told the charity that financial worries are second only to pain as a cause of stress. The survey, launched today (9.11.04)  to coincide with Macmillan Cancer Relief's 'Better Deal' campaign, aims to expose the problem of financial hardship faced by cancer patients and call on the Government to make access to benefits easier.

·         The survey of cancer patients found that 77 per cent said they had extra expenses and suffered financial         difficulties as a result of their diagnosis
·         This means that as many as 635 people diagnosed with cancer every year in Ealing could be suffering         financial hardship and extra expenses following their cancer diagnosis The actual cost of having cancer can   run into tens of thousands of pounds for some.  The loss of income, coupled with the extra costs of having cancer, such as travel or parking charges, can leave some patients crippled with debt
·         Other additional costs can include prescription charges, higher heating bills, buying new clothes because of weight loss or gain as a result of treatment and increased food bills due to special diet needs
·         Many people affected by cancer are unaware of what benefits they may be entitled to.  Macmillan has found that more than half of all terminally ill cancer patients do not claim the Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance they are entitled to.
·         Complicated benefits forms, a lack of awareness of entitlements, embarrassment or simply feeling too ill or emotionally drained by the cancer diagnosis, prevents many people accessing the welfare benefits.

Macmillan provides grants for people to help with practical needs. In 2003, Macmillan distributed over £5.5 million in grants to almost 15,000 people with cancer.

Stephen Richards, Director of Macmillan Cancer Relief for the London area says:
"Many people will be shocked to hear that as many as three out of four cancer patients in London could be suffering problems with debt and financial hardship at a time when they are most vulnerable.

"The financial hardship faced by so many cancer patients is something that is rarely talked about.  When Macmillan asked people with cancer about the main stresses they faced, financial worries was second only to pain in their list of concerns.  Cancer treatment may mean you have to give up work or take time off to care for a partner, so your income may suddenly be slashed in half, yet regular outgoings remain the same.  In addition people are likely to face extra bills for travel and parking to get to the hospital for treatment, extra heating bills, prescription charges or new clothes because they have lost weight.

"In some cases people have told us that they have spent their life savings, have gone into debt or have been in danger of losing their business or home.  Though benefits are available for some, the system is a complicated maze and many cancer patients are unaware of their entitlements or find it hard to fill in complicated forms at a time when they are feeling very ill.

"Macmillan Cancer Relief wants a better deal for cancer patients. We are calling on the government to ensure benefit advice is available to all cancer patients at the point of diagnosis and to simplify the claims process."

People affected by cancer or their carers can get more information and a free booklet, 'Help with the cost of cancer', by calling the campaign hotline on: 0800 500 800 or logging onto www.macmillan.org.uk/abetterdeal