Cancer patients are being urged to seek financial support if they are struggling as the cost of living rises. Charity Maggie’s said its research showed three-quarters of those who receive a diagnosis are impacted financially. The price of essentials such as food and fuel are predicted to rise in the coming months due to the Iran War.

Cancer can bring additional costs, including travel for treatment, increased use of childcare and central heating, and higher bills for running washing machines more frequently. Hidden costs may remain even after treatment has ended, such as higher premiums for travel or life insurance.

Julie Tennant, 60, from Heywood in Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and suffered severe side effects during treatment.

Neuropathy and ulcerative colitis meant she was unable to return to her job as a support worker.

She said: “The price of everything is going up — food, heating, the petrol you need to get to appointments and treatment sessions.

“So many cancer patients end up in debt just to keep their heads above water. I’d see young mothers on the chemo ward with worry etched on their faces about how they were going to feed their children or keep their homes warm, and it was heartbreaking.”

Julie, who was treated at the Royal Oldham Hospital, said she and her husband were forced to drain their savings.

She added: “The long-term effects of treatment are so bad that I can’t go back to work. My immune system crashed, I get infection after infection, I’m in excruciating pain and my memory is terrible.”

One in three of the 500 people with cancer surveyed by OnePoll for Maggie’s last year had left or changed their job as a result of their illness.

Julie was supported by benefits advisors at Maggie’s Oldham, who helped her understand and access the financial support she was entitled to.

She added: “There was still such a long wait to receive any financial support — people need help from the moment of diagnosis.

“Chemo makes you so poorly that you can’t possibly work, and there are so many appointments to attend that there’s no way you could hold down a full-time job. People are really struggling.”

Financial guidance is available at Maggie’s 27 centres across the country. The charity gave benefits advice to almost 20,000 people last year, helping them claim a total of £59.7million.

Maggie’s chief executive Dame Laura Lee said: “We know that cancer can have a significant impact on people’s finances, and that external factors such as rising petrol prices and energy bills can make this impact even more profound.

“Our expert benefits advisors are here to help, providing information about the financial support and exemptions people with cancer may be eligible for, as well as offering tips on managing money throughout treatment and beyond, advice on talking to employers and claiming sick pay, and support with returning to work after cancer.

“All our support is free, and we are here for people with every type of cancer, at every stage. Anyone needing support can simply drop in to one of our centres and speak to our expert staff.”