Cancer charity sees patients resort to selling possessions and even using loan sharks to make ends meet as cost of living crisis continues to spiral
Macmillan Cancer Support is urging anyone worried about money to access support, with over a million people with cancer in the UK saying this will be the ‘hardest year of their life so far’ when it comes to money.
Macmillan Cancer Support is urging anyone worried about money to access support, with over a million people with cancer in the UK saying this will be the ‘hardest year of their life so far’ when it comes to money.
A leading cancer charity is calling for people to urgently access support, with new research uncovering the harsh reality for people living with cancer, as the cost of living crisis continues to take a devastating toll.
New data from Macmillan Cancer Support shows that tens of thousands of people going through or recovering from cancer treatment in the UK (16%) have had to sell personal possessions or borrow money just to make ends meet, with almost one in three (31%) struggling to pay their basic living costs[i]. In some of the most extreme cases, people with cancer are resorting to borrowing money from unlicensed lenders such as loan sharks, while others are at risk of potential eviction from their homes[ii].
More than a third of cancer patients going through or recovering from cancer treatment (39%) have been buying or eating less food, and tens of thousands (22%) have been spending more time in bed to stay warm[iii]; all of which could put their health, wellbeing or recovery from cancer at risk.
The stark data also found that one in five (19%) of all those with cancer in the UK — just over half a million people — said that they did not feel their financial situation was strong enough to ride out the current cost of living crisis, while for over a million people (41%), 2023 is going to be the ‘hardest year of their life so far’ when it comes to money worries[iv].
The charity has also seen a 22% jump in calls about financial issues taken by its Support Line so far this year[v], with the number of calls answered by its financial guidance experts currently at their highest level since before the pandemic[vi].
The rising costs for people living with cancer comes on top of the existing financial impact a cancer diagnosis can already bring. Previous research by Macmillan found that four in five people with cancer experience a financial impact, which for those affected reaches almost £900 a month on average in addition to their usual outgoings[vii] — the equivalent of an extra one-and-a-half mortgage payments each month[viii]. Furthermore, many people are facing unacceptably long waits to receive the financial support they’re entitled to, with one in four (25%) of those with cancer on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) waiting more than 16 weeks to receive their first payment[ix], leaving far too many people struggling and falling into debt[x].
Sal was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2022 at 45 and is currently in treatment. She is on long-term sick leave and her only income now is Personal Independence Payment. Sal says: ‘The rising cost of living is relentless. Ever since I received my cancer diagnosis, we haven’t been able to afford to turn the central heating on, and my husband has had to take on a second job to keep a roof over our heads. We have even had to start washing clothes in buckets to avoid using our washing machine to cut costs. Macmillan helped me keep my head above water by providing us with a one-off grant, which was a lifesaver, and they also helped me navigate applying for my benefits as well. I really don’t know where I’d be without them.’
Macmillan is urging anyone in need of help to reach out to its free and confidential services. The charity’s Support Line is open 7 days a week where specially trained teams are on hand to make sure people get the financial support they need, including help with grants, energy support and benefits advice, as well as practical and emotional guidance.
Richard Pugh, Head of Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support, says: “Every day we’re hearing from people living with cancer who are struggling to get by and pay for the very basics. It’s heart-breaking that people are now being left with no other choice than to sell their personal possessions or take out loans pushing them into debt.
“We know that this is a very difficult time for many people and that it can be hard to make the first move in reaching out for support. It’s crucial that anyone who is feeling the pressure knows that we are here for them. We have specially trained teams on our Support Line who can offer confidential advice or simply provide a listening ear during this challenging time.”
Last year Macmillan gave out over £19 million in grants to more than 48,000 people with cancer across the UK — this is almost £7 million more than in the equivalent period the previous year, and the number of people supported jumped by 45%[xi]. Additionally, Macmillan has also committed £30 million over the next three years to fund welfare benefits services across UK communities to help people living with cancer during the cost of living crisis[xii].
From benefits advice to emotional support, whatever people affected by cancer need to ask, Macmillan is urging anyone who is worried, or going through a difficult time, to get in touch by calling 0808 808 00 00 (8am-8pm, seven days a week) or visiting www.macmillan.org.uk.
A leading cancer charity is calling for people to urgently access support, with new research uncovering the harsh reality for people living with cancer, as the cost of living crisis continues to take a devastating toll.
New data from Macmillan Cancer Support shows that tens of thousands of people going through or recovering from cancer treatment in the UK (16%) have had to sell personal possessions or borrow money just to make ends meet, with almost one in three (31%) struggling to pay their basic living costs[i]. In some of the most extreme cases, people with cancer are resorting to borrowing money from unlicensed lenders such as loan sharks, while others are at risk of potential eviction from their homes[ii].
More than a third of cancer patients going through or recovering from cancer treatment (39%) have been buying or eating less food, and tens of thousands (22%) have been spending more time in bed to stay warm[iii]; all of which could put their health, wellbeing or recovery from cancer at risk.
The stark data also found that one in five (19%) of all those with cancer in the UK — just over half a million people — said that they did not feel their financial situation was strong enough to ride out the current cost of living crisis, while for over a million people (41%), 2023 is going to be the ‘hardest year of their life so far’ when it comes to money worries[iv].
The charity has also seen a 22% jump in calls about financial issues taken by its Support Line so far this year[v], with the number of calls answered by its financial guidance experts currently at their highest level since before the pandemic[vi].
The rising costs for people living with cancer comes on top of the existing financial impact a cancer diagnosis can already bring. Previous research by Macmillan found that four in five people with cancer experience a financial impact, which for those affected reaches almost £900 a month on average in addition to their usual outgoings[vii] — the equivalent of an extra one-and-a-half mortgage payments each month[viii]. Furthermore, many people are facing unacceptably long waits to receive the financial support they’re entitled to, with one in four (25%) of those with cancer on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) waiting more than 16 weeks to receive their first payment[ix], leaving far too many people struggling and falling into debt[x].
Sal was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2022 at 45 and is currently in treatment. She is on long-term sick leave and her only income now is Personal Independence Payment. Sal says: ‘The rising cost of living is relentless. Ever since I received my cancer diagnosis, we haven’t been able to afford to turn the central heating on, and my husband has had to take on a second job to keep a roof over our heads. We have even had to start washing clothes in buckets to avoid using our washing machine to cut costs. Macmillan helped me keep my head above water by providing us with a one-off grant, which was a lifesaver, and they also helped me navigate applying for my benefits as well. I really don’t know where I’d be without them.’
Macmillan is urging anyone in need of help to reach out to its free and confidential services. The charity’s Support Line is open 7 days a week where specially trained teams are on hand to make sure people get the financial support they need, including help with grants, energy support and benefits advice, as well as practical and emotional guidance.
Richard Pugh, Head of Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support, says: “Every day we’re hearing from people living with cancer who are struggling to get by and pay for the very basics. It’s heart-breaking that people are now being left with no other choice than to sell their personal possessions or take out loans pushing them into debt.
“We know that this is a very difficult time for many people and that it can be hard to make the first move in reaching out for support. It’s crucial that anyone who is feeling the pressure knows that we are here for them. We have specially trained teams on our Support Line who can offer confidential advice or simply provide a listening ear during this challenging time.”
Last year Macmillan gave out over £19 million in grants to more than 48,000 people with cancer across the UK — this is almost £7 million more than in the equivalent period the previous year, and the number of people supported jumped by 45%[xi]. Additionally, Macmillan has also committed £30 million over the next three years to fund welfare benefits services across UK communities to help people living with cancer during the cost of living crisis[xii].
From benefits advice to emotional support, whatever people affected by cancer need to ask, Macmillan is urging anyone who is worried, or going through a difficult time, to get in touch by calling 0808 808 00 00 (8am-8pm, seven days a week) or visiting www.macmillan.org.uk.
Notes to editors
About Macmillan Cancer Support:
At Macmillan, we give people with cancer everything we’ve got. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are our worries. We will move mountains to help you live life as fully as you can. And we don’t stop there. We’re going all out to find ever better ways to help people with cancer, helping to bring forward the day when everyone gets life-transforming support from day one. We’re doing whatever it takes. But without your help we can’t support everyone who needs us. To donate, volunteer, raise money or campaign with us, call 0300 1000 200 or visit macmillan.org.uk
References
[i] Macmillan Cancer Support/YouGov survey of 2,020 adults in the UK who have had a cancer diagnosis, including 468 people who are either going through anti-cancer treatment at the moment, or who have finished treatment but are still physically recovering from it. Fieldwork was undertaken between 4th — 28th November 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of people living with cancer (aged 18+). Question wording was as follows: In which, if any, of the following ways have increased living costs affected you or your personal life? 16% of those in treatment or recovery selected one or both of: I am having to sell personal items/ possessions to earn some extra money; I have had to borrow money/ take out a loan. ‘Tens of thousands’ figure based on the combined numbers of people having first definitive treatments during a typical year from the data releases on cancer waiting times for England (https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancer-waiting-times/), Northern Ireland (https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/northern-ireland-waiting-time-statistics-cancer-waiting-times-july-september-2022), Scotland (https://www.gov.scot/publications/nhsscotland-performance-against-ldp-standards/pages/cancer-waiting-times/) and Wales (https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Health-and-Social-Care/NHS-Hospital-Waiting-Times/Cancer-Waiting-Times/Monthly/suspectedcancerpathwayclosedpathways-by-localhealthboard-tumoursite-agegroup-gender-measure-month). Please note some people will have treatment that lasts for a shorter or longer time than this, and this also does not include those in recovery.
[ii] As per ref i. One respondent to the survey said they had borrowed from an unlicensed lender, while 11 people said they were at risk of potential eviction — as this is a representative survey, it is reasonable to assume there are a number of others with cancer across the UK in the same situation
[iii] As per ref i. Question wording was as follows: In which, if any, of the following ways have you tried to limit your spending because of [increased living costs]? Figures based on the 468 respondents who are either going through anti-cancer treatment at the moment, or who have finished treatment but are still physically recovering from it.
[iv] As per ref i. Respondents were asked the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with the following statements: My financial situation is strong enough for me to ride out the current cost of living crisis; I think next year (2023) is going be the hardest year of my life so far when it comes to money worries. ‘More than half a million’ and ‘Over a million’ figure estimated by applying the relevant % figure to the 3 million people living with cancer in the UK. 3 million figure sourced from: Macmillan Cancer Support. Cancer prevalence. Accessed February 2023
[v] Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. From 1st January 2023 to 9th February 2023 inclusive, the financial guidance team on the Support Line answered 1,756 calls, compared with 1,445 for the same time period in 2022. Please note this only represents a portion of the total number of calls answered by the Support Line during this time.
[vi] Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. The number of calls answered by the financial guidance team on the Support Line in w/b 30th January 2023 (328 calls) was the highest number for almost four years, since w/b 11th March 2019 (367 calls)
[vii] Macmillan Cancer Support/Truth survey of 1,329 adults who have received a cancer diagnosis. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th January and 7th February 2020. The survey was carried out online. Sample is weighted to represent national population of people who have received a cancer diagnosis in terms of demographics (age, gender, region) and cancer type/time since diagnosis using prevalence data. The research shows that 83% of people with cancer in the UK experience some kind of financial impact of cancer, and for those affected, the average monthly amount at their most financially challenging time is £891. This is a weighted average, taking into account both loss of income and increased costs. Please note this research pre-dates both the Covid-19 pandemic and the current cost of living crisis, both of which have further increased financial pressures on many people with cancer
[viii] Office for National Statistics. How increases in housing costs impact households. January 2023. The latest available data shows mortgage holders spend a total of £140.80 per week on mortgage repayments on average, or around £590 a month
[ix] As per ref i. Survey included including 194 people who receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and who do not also receive Adult Disability Payment (which is replacing PIP in Scotland). Question wording was as follows: Thinking only about the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) you receive from the government, how long after you started the application process did you receive the money?’
[x] As per ref i and ix. 42% of people with cancer on PIP and not also on ADP said they have had to borrow money, or use their savings to cover their costs while waiting to receive their payment, or have gotten further into debt.
[xi] Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. From Saturday 1st January 2022 to Saturday 31st December inclusive, Macmillan gave out grants worth a total of £19,159,465 to 48,316 people with cancer. The figures for the equivalent period in 2021 were £12,196,000 given out to 33,243 people
[xii] Based on Macmillan internal data
[ii] As per ref i. One respondent to the survey said they had borrowed from an unlicensed lender, while 11 people said they were at risk of potential eviction — as this is a representative survey, it is reasonable to assume there are a number of others with cancer across the UK in the same situation
[iii] As per ref i. Question wording was as follows: In which, if any, of the following ways have you tried to limit your spending because of [increased living costs]? Figures based on the 468 respondents who are either going through anti-cancer treatment at the moment, or who have finished treatment but are still physically recovering from it.
[iv] As per ref i. Respondents were asked the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with the following statements: My financial situation is strong enough for me to ride out the current cost of living crisis; I think next year (2023) is going be the hardest year of my life so far when it comes to money worries. ‘More than half a million’ and ‘Over a million’ figure estimated by applying the relevant % figure to the 3 million people living with cancer in the UK. 3 million figure sourced from: Macmillan Cancer Support. Cancer prevalence. Accessed February 2023
[v] Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. From 1st January 2023 to 9th February 2023 inclusive, the financial guidance team on the Support Line answered 1,756 calls, compared with 1,445 for the same time period in 2022. Please note this only represents a portion of the total number of calls answered by the Support Line during this time.
[vi] Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. The number of calls answered by the financial guidance team on the Support Line in w/b 30th January 2023 (328 calls) was the highest number for almost four years, since w/b 11th March 2019 (367 calls)
[vii] Macmillan Cancer Support/Truth survey of 1,329 adults who have received a cancer diagnosis. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th January and 7th February 2020. The survey was carried out online. Sample is weighted to represent national population of people who have received a cancer diagnosis in terms of demographics (age, gender, region) and cancer type/time since diagnosis using prevalence data. The research shows that 83% of people with cancer in the UK experience some kind of financial impact of cancer, and for those affected, the average monthly amount at their most financially challenging time is £891. This is a weighted average, taking into account both loss of income and increased costs. Please note this research pre-dates both the Covid-19 pandemic and the current cost of living crisis, both of which have further increased financial pressures on many people with cancer
[viii] Office for National Statistics. How increases in housing costs impact households. January 2023. The latest available data shows mortgage holders spend a total of £140.80 per week on mortgage repayments on average, or around £590 a month
[ix] As per ref i. Survey included including 194 people who receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and who do not also receive Adult Disability Payment (which is replacing PIP in Scotland). Question wording was as follows: Thinking only about the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) you receive from the government, how long after you started the application process did you receive the money?’
[x] As per ref i and ix. 42% of people with cancer on PIP and not also on ADP said they have had to borrow money, or use their savings to cover their costs while waiting to receive their payment, or have gotten further into debt.
[xi] Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. From Saturday 1st January 2022 to Saturday 31st December inclusive, Macmillan gave out grants worth a total of £19,159,465 to 48,316 people with cancer. The figures for the equivalent period in 2021 were £12,196,000 given out to 33,243 people
[xii] Based on Macmillan internal data