Cancer costs patients aplenty

Travel and parking was identified as the equal highest cost Having breast cancer can cost women thousands of pounds, a survey suggests.
Macmillan Cancer Relief said a survey of 50 patients found they faced unexpected bills for hospital parking fees, prescriptions and diet changes. On average, the cost was £2,000, but one woman spent £12,000, which included buying a car to get to hospital.
For many patients, such extra costs coincide with a loss of income and patients can end up in debt because of their disease, the charity said. More than 41,000 women and 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.
As a result of my double mastectomy I have spent hundreds on getting to hospital - I have even had to buy a car Jean Williams from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, who has spent £12,200 Almost a quarter of those surveyed identified travel to hospital and parking as the highest extra financial cost linked to their cancer. An equal number said their highest extra cost was linked to improving their diet or using complementary therapies.
‘Fewer treats’ Many patients feel that special foods, massage or aromatherapy are necessary expenditure as they can aid their recovery. One in six said the cost of prescriptions was the highest bill they faced, while one in seven said heating, electricity and gas bills were their most expensive cost.
These additional payments had an impact on women’s home lives, the survey found. A quarter said they had to cut back on food shopping or bought cheaper food, and half had to cut back on buying clothes or haircuts.
Three in five patients said they had fewer days or evenings out, while others reported being able to have fewer treats such as takeaways or meals out (54%) Breast cancer patient Jean Williams from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, said she had spent £12,200. She said: “As a result of my double mastectomy, I have spent hundreds on getting to hospital - I have even had to buy a car.
“And due to the nature of my operations, I’ve spent thousands on complementary therapies including reflexology, aromatherapy and massage, otherwise I am in lot of pain.” Lesley Dileonardo, from Somerset, added: “Since being diagnosed, we have had the worry of extra costs plus losing my wage. “The same costs are being paid out, but half the amount of money is coming into the household budget. The added worry of finances at a time like this is devastating.” Stressful time Peter Cardy, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: “Our survey has shown that patients see their spending levels rocket when they are diagnosed with breast cancer.—Online