Hundreds of thousands of cancer patients simply ‘can’t afford life’ as the cost-of-living crisis risks patient’s health
A leading cancer charity is urging people living with cancer to access the support available, as many face a triple whammy of financial worries that risk negatively impacting their health.
A leading cancer charity is urging people living with cancer to access the support available, as many face a triple whammy of financial worries that risk negatively impacting their health.
Macmillan Cancer Support is sounding the alarm that the cost-saving cuts people living with cancer are being forced to make is putting people’s health at risk, as new data from the charity reveals that one in four people with cancer in the UK (24%) — almost three-quarters of a million people — feel like they just ‘can’t afford life at the moment’[i].
Macmillan’s research reveals that since December, one in four people with cancer in the UK (24%) have either been buying less food, or making fewer hot meals, to try to cope with the soaring cost of living. This includes 26% of those currently having treatment[ii].
Additionally with energy bills spiralling, around one million (32%) people with cancer have resorted to wearing coats or dressing gowns indoors more to try to stay warm without spending more, and one in six (16%) have been washing their clothes or bedding less — or not at all — to try to keep costs down[iii].
The charity is warning that these cuts could negatively impacting people’s health, with good levels of nutrition, warmth and hygiene being essential in aiding recovery.
Many people with cancer already face a significant financial hit from an array of extra and often unexpected costs that can come with a diagnosis, such as higher energy bills as they try to keep warm during treatment, or the travel costs of getting to and from appointments, as well as a potential drop in earnings if they are less able to work. Macmillan research shows that 83% of people with cancer in the UK experience some kind of financial impact from their diagnosis, and for those affected this reaches an average of £891 a month, on top of their usual expenditure[iv].
Worryingly, on top of the financial pressures of a diagnosis and the soaring cost of living, people with cancer who claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are also facing significant delays — an average of 22 weeks — to receiving their first payment[v].
30-year-old Lara Burwell was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2019 and is currently undergoing treatment. She lives with her partner and young son in Somerset and used to work in nursery management. She says:
“For me, cancer and the spiralling cost of living is the worst possible combination — no matter what cuts we make to save money, we straight up can’t afford life anymore. I have overwhelming anxiety as all the money worries add up, and on top of this I am so fearful about how our standard of living will affect my cancer recovery.
“We’ve completely cut out heating, which is horrible as my treatment means I get really cold, but even with that saving I’m not sure we can afford the rent anymore. The cost of petrol and parking to get to hospital for treatment up to three times a week is mounting, and alongside all of this, the process of getting personal independence payments to help with the life-changing side effects of my cancer has been relentless. It’s taken a three-year battle and two more tumours for me to finally receive the support I’m entitled to.
“Macmillan has been an amazing support with my benefits appeal tribunal and helping me get a disabled badge so I don’t have to walk up hills to go to hospital anymore, but I do just wish this wasn’t how my life was.”
Dr Anthony Cunliffe, Macmillan National Clinical Adviser for Primary Care, says:
“At a time when people living with cancer need their health to be their priority, it’s devastating to hear the toll the cost of living crisis is taking on the wellbeing of so many people.
“Nutrition, warmth and hygiene are all vital in keeping people with cancer well enough for treatment and aiding their recovery, and to hear that people are being forced to deprive themselves of these essentials is hugely concerning.
“I’d urge anyone affected by cancer who has concerns or questions about the impact of the cost of living crisis on their health and wellbeing to get in touch on Macmillan’s Support Line. We’re here to make sure you get the support you need.”
Macmillan has seen a high level of demand for its financial need support services over the last few months, with the number of calls about energy alone answered by the experts on the charity’s Support Line jumping by 87% since the new energy bill price cap came into effect on 1st April, compared to the same time last year[vi].
Christopher Jones, Energy Team Leader on the Support Line at Macmillan Cancer Support, says:
“Every day we are hearing from more and more people living with cancer who are feeling the enormous pressure of the rising cost of living, on top of the extra costs a diagnosis can already bring. We used to hear about people choosing between eating and heating, but now we are hearing from people who can’t afford either.
“People with cancer need to live, not just survive and we are urging anyone worried about money to access the support available from Macmillan. We are here to make sure people get the help they need and deserve.”
In response to the cost-of-living crisis, Macmillan has pledged an extra £3.5m in funding into its Financial Grants scheme, to help meet the soaring need.
The charity is urging anyone worried about money to access support available from Macmillan.
People can find out more about financial support available at Macmillan.org.uk, call the free Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am-8pm or access peer-to-peer support 24 hours a day via Macmillan’s Online Community.
Macmillan Cancer Support is sounding the alarm that the cost-saving cuts people living with cancer are being forced to make is putting people’s health at risk, as new data from the charity reveals that one in four people with cancer in the UK (24%) — almost three-quarters of a million people — feel like they just ‘can’t afford life at the moment’[i].
Macmillan’s research reveals that since December, one in four people with cancer in the UK (24%) have either been buying less food, or making fewer hot meals, to try to cope with the soaring cost of living. This includes 26% of those currently having treatment[ii].
Additionally with energy bills spiralling, around one million (32%) people with cancer have resorted to wearing coats or dressing gowns indoors more to try to stay warm without spending more, and one in six (16%) have been washing their clothes or bedding less — or not at all — to try to keep costs down[iii].
The charity is warning that these cuts could negatively impacting people’s health, with good levels of nutrition, warmth and hygiene being essential in aiding recovery.
Many people with cancer already face a significant financial hit from an array of extra and often unexpected costs that can come with a diagnosis, such as higher energy bills as they try to keep warm during treatment, or the travel costs of getting to and from appointments, as well as a potential drop in earnings if they are less able to work. Macmillan research shows that 83% of people with cancer in the UK experience some kind of financial impact from their diagnosis, and for those affected this reaches an average of £891 a month, on top of their usual expenditure[iv].
Worryingly, on top of the financial pressures of a diagnosis and the soaring cost of living, people with cancer who claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are also facing significant delays — an average of 22 weeks — to receiving their first payment[v].
30-year-old Lara Burwell was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2019 and is currently undergoing treatment. She lives with her partner and young son in Somerset and used to work in nursery management. She says:
“For me, cancer and the spiralling cost of living is the worst possible combination — no matter what cuts we make to save money, we straight up can’t afford life anymore. I have overwhelming anxiety as all the money worries add up, and on top of this I am so fearful about how our standard of living will affect my cancer recovery.
“We’ve completely cut out heating, which is horrible as my treatment means I get really cold, but even with that saving I’m not sure we can afford the rent anymore. The cost of petrol and parking to get to hospital for treatment up to three times a week is mounting, and alongside all of this, the process of getting personal independence payments to help with the life-changing side effects of my cancer has been relentless. It’s taken a three-year battle and two more tumours for me to finally receive the support I’m entitled to.
“Macmillan has been an amazing support with my benefits appeal tribunal and helping me get a disabled badge so I don’t have to walk up hills to go to hospital anymore, but I do just wish this wasn’t how my life was.”
Dr Anthony Cunliffe, Macmillan National Clinical Adviser for Primary Care, says:
“At a time when people living with cancer need their health to be their priority, it’s devastating to hear the toll the cost of living crisis is taking on the wellbeing of so many people.
“Nutrition, warmth and hygiene are all vital in keeping people with cancer well enough for treatment and aiding their recovery, and to hear that people are being forced to deprive themselves of these essentials is hugely concerning.
“I’d urge anyone affected by cancer who has concerns or questions about the impact of the cost of living crisis on their health and wellbeing to get in touch on Macmillan’s Support Line. We’re here to make sure you get the support you need.”
Macmillan has seen a high level of demand for its financial need support services over the last few months, with the number of calls about energy alone answered by the experts on the charity’s Support Line jumping by 87% since the new energy bill price cap came into effect on 1st April, compared to the same time last year[vi].
Christopher Jones, Energy Team Leader on the Support Line at Macmillan Cancer Support, says:
“Every day we are hearing from more and more people living with cancer who are feeling the enormous pressure of the rising cost of living, on top of the extra costs a diagnosis can already bring. We used to hear about people choosing between eating and heating, but now we are hearing from people who can’t afford either.
“People with cancer need to live, not just survive and we are urging anyone worried about money to access the support available from Macmillan. We are here to make sure people get the help they need and deserve.”
In response to the cost-of-living crisis, Macmillan has pledged an extra £3.5m in funding into its Financial Grants scheme, to help meet the soaring need.
The charity is urging anyone worried about money to access support available from Macmillan.
People can find out more about financial support available at Macmillan.org.uk, call the free Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am-8pm or access peer-to-peer support 24 hours a day via Macmillan’s Online Community.
For further information, please contact:
Telephone: 020 7840 7821 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Out of hours mobile: 07801 307 068.
Email: media@macmillan.org.uk.
Notes to Editors:
Financial impact of Covid-19 on people living with cancer:
- Many people with cancer are also experiencing a financial impact from Covid-19, which includes many people with cancer in England, or their family and friends, now having to pay for Covid tests since the end of universal free testing came in on 1st April[vii].
- Two years on from the start of the pandemic, there are still hundreds of thousands of people with cancer in the UK who are being financially affected by the pandemic (12%; 360,000 people) and this figure may have even increased in recent months (from 10% in November 2021)[viii]
- Nine in 10 people with cancer in the UK (89%; 2.7 million people) say their basic living costs have increased since December, with the most common costs affected being food (80% of people with cancer have experienced increased food costs), energy or gas (76%) and fuel or petrol (74%)[ix]
- Many people with cancer in the UK are relying on lateral flow tests to help keep them safe from Covid-19 — one in five (22%) are either asking family and friends to take one before they meet up or say the people they live with are testing at least once a week, rising to 30% of those currently having treatment[x]
Macmillan’s top tips for how people living with cancer can manage their finances during the cost-of-living crisis:
- Look into how you can maximise your income through benefits and grant advice — billions of pounds of benefits go unclaimed each year, but remember there are several options open to people living with cancer, depending on your health, household, and financial situations.
- Let your energy and water providers know that your situation could mean your consumption may go up, or your income will go down, if you need to take sick leave. Energy providers all have a “Priority Services Register” that can provide extra protections and adaptions for people with cancer. Some water providers can provide ‘Social Tariffs’ to reduce monthly bills for people on low-incomes, or who have health conditions requiring them to use more water (with cancer patients who are at risk of infection, or have particular cancers such as prostate and bowel, they may need to clean bedding and clothing more frequently)
- If you’re on a Pre-Payment Meter (PPM) and worried you may run out of credit, contact your energy provider who can possibly add emergency credit to your account.
- While Macmillan cannot give out direct debt advice, the charity can explain the processes you will have to go through, and signpost you to the best organisations and trust funds to help with this debt.
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.
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.
References:
[i] Macmillan Cancer Support/YouGov survey of 2,079 UK adults who have had a cancer diagnosis, including 222 people currently undergoing treatment. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd February — 13th March 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all people living with cancer. Question wording was as follows: To what extent do you disagree or agree with the following statements? Among the range of statements presented, 24% agreed with ‘It feels like I just can’t afford life at the moment’. 24% equates to an estimated 720,000 people with cancer in the UK. 720,000 figure estimated by applying the 24% to the 3 million people living with cancer in the UK. 3 million figure is taken from: Macmillan Cancer Support. Calculating cancer prevalence. Accessed April 2022
[ii] As per ref i. Question wording was as follows: You have experienced increased living costs recently. In which, if any, of the following ways have you tried to limit your spending because of this? Please select all that apply. Figures have been rebased onto all respondents. Among the range of options presented, 22% of respondents selected ‘Buying less food’ and 7% selected ‘Making fewer hot meals’. In total 24% of all respondents and 26% of those undergoing treatment selected at least one of these latter two options.
[iii] As per ref ii. Among the range of options presented, 32% of respondents selected ‘Wearing coats/ dressing gowns indoors more to stay warm’ and 16% selected ‘Washing clothes or bedding less or not at all’
[iv] 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.
[v] Department for Work and Pensions. Personal Independence Payment statistics to January 2022. Accessed April 2022
[vi] Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. Refers to the time period from Friday 1st April 2022 to Sunday 24th April 2022 inclusive. During this time the teams on the Macmillan Support Line who support people with energy advice (the Energy Advice team (EAT) and dual Welfare Rights/Energy Advice team (WRT-EAT)) answered 370 calls, compared with 198 calls in the same time period in 2021 (Friday 2nd April 2021 to Sunday 25th April 2021 inclusive). Please note there is a separate standalone Welfare Rights team who respond to the majority of calls related to welfare benefits, whose data is not included here. These calls also only represent a portion of all calls answered by the Macmillan Support Line during this time
[vii] Some people who have had a cancer diagnosis are eligible for free lateral flow tests but many are not, and some of those who are eligible may not be aware of this
[viii] As per ref i
[ix] As per ref i. Question wording was as follows: Thinking about now compared to 8 to 10 weeks ago (i.e. in early December 2021)… Have any of your basic living costs increased or decreased? Please think about the costs that you have to pay as part of day-to-day living, including food, bills, housing rent, mortgage(s) etc. Those who said their costs had increased were then asked: ‘In which of the following areas have you noticed increases in your costs? Please select all that apply.’
[x] As per ref I. Question wording was as follows: As restrictions lift, which, if any, of the below are you currently doing in order to reduce your risk of catching COVID-19? Please select all that apply. Among the range of options presented, 16% selected ‘Those in my household are completing a lateral flow test regularly (at least once a week)’ and 12% selected ‘I am asking my family and friends to do a lateral flow test before we meet’. In total 22% of all respondents and 30% of those undergoing treatment selected at least one.
[ii] As per ref i. Question wording was as follows: You have experienced increased living costs recently. In which, if any, of the following ways have you tried to limit your spending because of this? Please select all that apply. Figures have been rebased onto all respondents. Among the range of options presented, 22% of respondents selected ‘Buying less food’ and 7% selected ‘Making fewer hot meals’. In total 24% of all respondents and 26% of those undergoing treatment selected at least one of these latter two options.
[iii] As per ref ii. Among the range of options presented, 32% of respondents selected ‘Wearing coats/ dressing gowns indoors more to stay warm’ and 16% selected ‘Washing clothes or bedding less or not at all’
[iv] 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.
[v] Department for Work and Pensions. Personal Independence Payment statistics to January 2022. Accessed April 2022
[vi] Macmillan Cancer Support internal data. Refers to the time period from Friday 1st April 2022 to Sunday 24th April 2022 inclusive. During this time the teams on the Macmillan Support Line who support people with energy advice (the Energy Advice team (EAT) and dual Welfare Rights/Energy Advice team (WRT-EAT)) answered 370 calls, compared with 198 calls in the same time period in 2021 (Friday 2nd April 2021 to Sunday 25th April 2021 inclusive). Please note there is a separate standalone Welfare Rights team who respond to the majority of calls related to welfare benefits, whose data is not included here. These calls also only represent a portion of all calls answered by the Macmillan Support Line during this time
[vii] Some people who have had a cancer diagnosis are eligible for free lateral flow tests but many are not, and some of those who are eligible may not be aware of this
[viii] As per ref i
[ix] As per ref i. Question wording was as follows: Thinking about now compared to 8 to 10 weeks ago (i.e. in early December 2021)… Have any of your basic living costs increased or decreased? Please think about the costs that you have to pay as part of day-to-day living, including food, bills, housing rent, mortgage(s) etc. Those who said their costs had increased were then asked: ‘In which of the following areas have you noticed increases in your costs? Please select all that apply.’
[x] As per ref I. Question wording was as follows: As restrictions lift, which, if any, of the below are you currently doing in order to reduce your risk of catching COVID-19? Please select all that apply. Among the range of options presented, 16% selected ‘Those in my household are completing a lateral flow test regularly (at least once a week)’ and 12% selected ‘I am asking my family and friends to do a lateral flow test before we meet’. In total 22% of all respondents and 30% of those undergoing treatment selected at least one.