THOSE living with cancer in Scotland are more worried about the cost of living crisis than their illness, a new study has revealed.
A majority of those with the condition in the country worry that the crisis is affecting their chances of successful treatment.
The poll took into account 500 people living across the UK with cancer as part of a survey carried out for support charity Maggie’s.
It discovered that 80% of those in the UK are worried about how the cost-of-living crisis may impact on their ability to travel to hospital appointments.
The study showed over half (55%) of those surveyed believe they will find it difficult to pay for food this winter while 67% think heating bills could be an issue.
Maggie’s chief executive Dame Laura Lee warned people with cancer are hit harder by the crisis.
She said: “It is truly shocking that people living with cancer – which is possibly the hardest, most frightening experience of their lives – are now so worried about money that it is overshadowing the fact they are living with cancer.
“Many even feel the current crisis will impact their chances of successful treatment.”
Lee warned the crisis is “only going to get worse” as the prices continue to skyrocket.
She continued: “We know people with cancer are harder hit by the cost-of-living crisis. They need to use more heating, they are living on reduced incomes and paying to travel for treatment.
“We also know people are returning to work too early and even missing appointments because they can’t survive on benefits. This too can have devastating consequences.
“This is simply wrong. People with cancer need to be able to focus on treatment.
“At our 24 UK support centres we have experts to help if someone is worried about money as well as professional staff to help with eating well on a budget, stress management and much more. We are here for you.”
Benefits advisor for the charity in Fife Melanie Bunce, said the situation now “is the worst I have ever seen”.
She added: “The fact is that even very ordinary situations are now becoming impossible for people with cancer.
“People who could have managed a year ago are now facing stark choices between eating, heating and travel to hospital appointments – and particularly badly hit are those in low-income jobs.
“The stories we are hearing in our centres have become so much more desperate in the last six months and it is only going to get worse.”
