The Citizens Advice Macmillan Project provides welfare benefits and grant advice countywide to people diagnosed with cancer, including their family and carers. The project is based at the dedicated cancer support centre at The Cove in the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro.
Having a cancer diagnosis can dramatically affect someone’s financial circumstances. Not being able to work, needing to reduce working hours or managing on a fixed income can mean having to make financial choices which increases the stress and worry at an already difficult time when patients should be focusing on their treatment and recovery.
Daily living costs can increase – travelling to hospital for treatment; higher heating bills because patients are at home more and have increased sensitivity to the cold; changed dietary requirements; weight loss or gain meaning clothes no longer fit properly and additional childcare costs.
