More help urged for cancer sufferers

One in six patients is hit due to increasing costs and lost income, Macmillan Cancer Support said.

The YouGov poll of 1,495 patients said 70 per cent are hit financially by the disease.

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

Under the plans, many cancer patients 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 is wife will cope after he loses the ESA.

He said: “I can’t believe the Government is planning to take away all my ESA after just 12 months.

“I’m still in a lot of pain, I need a stick to walk and get awful pins and needles down my legs.

“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.

Ciaran Devane, chief executive of the charity, said: “Cancer is an expensive disease to live with, but this research shows just how close to the breadline many cancer patients really are.

“While we understand the benefits system is in need of reform, certain changes in the Welfare Reform Bill could have catastrophic effects on many families who are already struggling.”

A Government spokesman 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. ”