Cancer Patients Suffering

THOUSANDS of cancer patients and their families across Sussex are being forced to find hundreds of pounds a month to cover the costs of the disease.

Macmillan Cancer Support research shows the average family is left with around £375 each month after paying for necessities such as bills, food and everyday travel.

However it says cancer has an average monthly cost of £570 for the vast majority of patients.

This includes travel to and from hospital appointments, an increase in bills due to being at home more and feeling the cold after treatment and paying for extra support at home such as cleaning.

 Many people also have to cut down their working hours or stop working altogether because they are too unwell, resulting in a significant loss of income.

The charity said thousands of people, including the 10,000 across Sussex newly diagnosed each year, could already be struggling.

The issue will only worsen as almost half the population is predicted to get the disease at some point in their lives by 2026.

Macmillan, which offers grants, benefits advice and financial guidance for people affected by cancer, is urging people to seek financial help as soon as possible to stop money worries spiralling out of control.

Sara Cutting, 47, from Brighton, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.

She spent a year posting selfies of herself wearing a different hat every day on Facebook while she was undergoing treatment chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Ms Cutting said: “Stopping work was a big worry, as I am self-employed and so that’s a scary thing.

“Macmillan gave me some advice on things and I ended up speaking to the Department for Work and Pensions and they talked me through the forms and were really helpful.

“I felt guilty and as if I didn’t deserve it, because you hear so many stories about benefit fraud and that sort of thing.

“However the money I’m getting, although not a lot, is a great help. Even post-treatment I can’t work in the building and renovation company I run with my partner because of the nerve damage in my arm.”