Hiden costs of cancer

PEOPLE with cancer are also having to cope with soaring daily living costs and the additional worry that comes with it.

The research found 83% of people with cancer say unexpected expenses since their diagnosis are impacting their mental health, with over a third (36%) feeling the impact strongly.

On top of that, 78% of people are struggling to pay bills as a result of the costs that come with a diagnosis.

The poll was carried out for cancer support charity Maggies, whose chief executive Dame Laura Lee said: “It is unthinkable that someone worrying about cancer is also worrying about putting the heating on, getting to their hospital appointment or buying food.”

THE number of carers who are juggling employment with high levels of care has increased alarmingly over the past decade.

Those in work who are spending between 20 and 49 hours a week caring for loved ones and friends has almost doubled, according to new figures from the Office of National Statistics.

In all, there are now 2.5m unpaid carers who are trying to balance employment and caring duties.

Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK, said: “Around half a million unpaid carers providing 20-49 hours of care a week are also in work, while 400,000 providing more than 50 hours of care a week are managing to squeeze in time to work as well.

“During a cost of living crisis when every pound counts, and when access to social care is so limited, it is vital that this group of carers is adequately supported by Government and employers to manage both roles.

“For those carers providing more than 35 hours of care a week and receiving Carer’s Allowance, it is vital that the earnings threshold is raised so that they are not penalised for working more hours. We also want Carer’s Allowance raised.”

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