It is a devastating disease that affects victims’ health.
But cancer also has a massive impact on the bank accounts of the millions of people who affect it. Some are homeless and barely able to afford food.
New research shows that more than a third of cancer patients in the UK – 39 percent – are hard hit financially by their diagnosis.
According to Macmillan Cancer Support, 31 percent are forced to take out a loan or take out credit card debt in order to make ends meet.
Some are even too skinted to pay their rent or mortgage: a cancer patient admits that he had to surf the sofa with friends to avoid being on the street.
The charity’s researchers also found that roughly one in five Britons – 19 percent – saves just £ 250 or less. And 13 percent have none at all.
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This can prove stressful in the event of a cancer diagnosis – patients are often unable to work and have to face increasing transport costs to get to the hospital.
Lynda Thomas, Macmillan’s General Manager, says, “We hear from people who suffer from cancer every day and are very concerned about their finances – from worrying about paying their mortgage or putting food on the table to turning on the heater when you need it and sit at home chilled to the bone.
“It is no exaggeration to say that for some people receiving the life-changing news that you have cancer is nothing less than a financial wrecking ball.”
Here, two cancer patients tell Sun Online of their own financial troubles when they call on the British to support Macmillan’s “Everyone From Day One” campaign and help the charity care for all cancer patients.
32-year-old former first dates candidate Julian Fiano lives near Sudbury, Suffolk. He became homeless and could barely afford to eat after being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor in March 2016.
Julian says, “I was 28 and loved the life I was diagnosed with cancer.
It started with a headache and vomiting. I returned home from playing soccer, went straight to my room and lay down in the dark.
Then my left foot began to fall asleep. Once I went in flip flops and the left one came out. I tried to get it going again but just couldn’t.
It wasn’t long before I couldn’t do any more kick-ups in the garden. When the left side of my tongue began to tingle too, I knew something was wrong.
I was diagnosed with a 4th degree brain tumor that presented itself as a mass the size of a golf ball … Doctors said it would kill me within nine to 12 months
I was diagnosed in March 2016: A 4th degree brain tumor called glioblastoma that appeared as a golf ball-sized mass in my head.
Doctors said it would kill me within nine to 12 months.
At the time, I had an excellent job as a sports coach working with school kids in the Northwest – something I had always dreamed of.
I thought, ‘Damn it, what do I do now? I give up
While cancer was quickly damaging my health – from fatigue and short-term memory problems to hair loss – I also had financial problems.
I could no longer work, but statutory sick pay and social benefits barely covered the cost of groceries, let alone rent, bills, and precious memories.
I started falling behind on payments and just couldn’t catch up.
I couldn’t afford to rent it privately – and since the local authorities weren’t particularly helpful in finding accommodation – I became homeless.
If a friend hadn’t offered me her sofa, I would have been on the street.
Fortunately, Macmillan came to help too.
They filled out benefit claims for me, helped with grants, and even investigated a repayment I was too sick to pursue.
They took away any added stress and were so nice.
Fortunately, despite three brain operations, I’m still here today.
I’m halfway through another round of chemo but returned to jogging and I’m lucky enough to have only one tumor – not six or eight like some others.
Unfortunately, I still have financial problems. I have run out of sick pay and had to set up a GoFundMe page asking for help.
If a friend hadn’t offered me her sofa, I would have been on the street
But I’m no longer homeless and I have a wonderful friend by my side, Lucy Docherty, who understands when I’m biting after a bad day.
I actually met Lucy, 30, through Channel 4’s First Dates!
Although I wasn’t lucky on the show, Lucy watched from home and after hearing my story she felt compelled to make contact.
We fell in love and are very happy with each other.
Lucy is an absolute diamond and while my diagnosis is final we make plans for the future. I’ve found time is precious.
For anyone else with cancer, I would say that they don’t be afraid to seek help from charities – whether it is about your treatment or your finances.
There is absolutely no shame – and it was the best I did. ”
Siobhan MacAndrew, 58, lives in Dundee, Scotland. She was left on the verge of debt after the diagnosis
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