People with cancer more worried about cost of living than diagnosis

Over two-thirds (67%) feel that the crisis is affecting their chances of successful treatment for cancer.

More than three quarters (77%) of people with cancer in the region also said they are worried about the cost of travel to their hospital appointments with nearly a quarter (21%) saying they worry ‘very much’.

At Maggie’s Yorkshire cancer support centre the charity is already hearing about people with cancer struggling to go to appointments because of travel costs or asking if they can end treatment early so they can return to work because they can’t afford to be off any longer.

Nearly half (47%) of those surveyed in Yorkshire also said they think they will struggle to pay for food this winter and two thirds (65%) think heating bills will be a problem.

Maggie’s Chief Executive Dame Laura Lee said: “It is truly shocking that people living with cancer – which is possibly the hardest, most frightening experience of their lives – are now so worried about money that it is overshadowing the fact they are living with cancer.

“Many even feel the current crisis will impact their chances of successful treatment.

“The situation is clearly only going to get worse as the cost of fuel, food and heating continue to rise in the autumn. We know people with cancer are harder hit by the cost of living crisis. They need to use more heating, they are living on reduced incomes and paying to travel for treatment.

“We also know people are returning to work too early and even missing appointments because they can’t survive on benefits. This too can have devastating consequences.

“This is simply wrong. People with cancer need to be able to focus on treatment.

“At our centre we have experts to help if someone is worried about money as well as professional staff to help with eating well on a budget, stress management and much more. We are here for you.”

Yorkshire Centre Head, Amanda Procter, said: “I have worked in cancer support for more than 10 years and this current situation feels very concerning. People are very anxious about juggling the rising cost of living alongside their treatment. For example, people needing to put their heating on during chemotherapy treatment but struggling to be able to afford this.

Thankfully, Maggie’s is here to help. We’re there for people going through cancer treatment, and they can just come in, there’s no need for an appointment.”

Since Maggie’s opened its first centre in 1996, the charity has developed a programme of support that is proven to help people with cancer, as well as family and friends, take back control.

Maggie’s professional staff include psychologists, cancer support specialists and benefits advisors. If you or someone you know has cancer and needs support please visit Maggie’s Yorkshire on the grounds of St James University Hospital, Leeds or visit www.maggies.org/yorkshire

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