Food Too Expensive For Cancer Patients

More than two-thirds of cancer patients are being hit financially due to increasing costs and lost income - with some even skipping meals to help save money.

A survey by Macmillan Cancer Support found that patients are forced to cut back on buying food and other everyday essentials as a result of their illness.

It also found that many with the disease are scared of losing their home.

The YouGov poll of 1,495 cancer patients said 70% are financially constrained.

Macmillan criticised the Government for going ahead with its Welfare Reform Bill and said almost 7,000 patients could lose up to £94 a week if the changes are implemented.

Under the plans many will only receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for one year.

Stephen Townend, 56, from London, who was diagnosed with renal cancer and had to have a kidney removed, is worried about how he and his wife will cope after he loses the ESA.

"Without my ESA my wife and I would find it really difficult to get by. We have used up virtually all our savings already.

"I've worked all my life and paid into the system but this doesn't seem to mean anything."

The charity urged the Government to amend the Bill so that patients eligible for ESA receive it for as long as they need, rather than a fixed period.

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "Recovering cancer patients who are assessed as still needing unconditional Government support will be placed in the support group of ESA and will see no change to their benefit entitlement after 12 months.

"Nor will there be any change for those on income-related ESA."