IT might be the last thing on your mind when you are facing a terminal cancer diagnosis just how you are going to heat your home and clothe yourself.
However, a new study has found that for thousands of Scots it is a harsh reality as they having to rely on grants to heat their homes and put clothes on their backs.
Macmillan Cancer Support provided £1.2m in grants to almost 3700 people to help them pay for necessities last year and the charity says the figures are a timely reminder of the huge financial stresses cancer causes.
Almost £457,000 was given out to help cancer patients pay for heating, while another £370,000 was awarded to help them buy new clothes, often needed due to a change in body shape resulting from treatment.
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Around £150,000 was given to people with cancer to help them afford new beds, mattresses and bedding, while around £85,500 went to cover hospital travel costs.
Ahead of the May elections, Macmillan calling on all political parties in Scotland to pledge their support for the rapid roll-out of a model of cancer support that will ensure everyone with cancer is automatically offered financial, emotional and practical support.
Janice Preston, Head of Macmillan in Scotland, said: “No-one dealing with a life-threatening illness should have to worry about how to pay their rent or heat their home.
“While I’m pleased Macmillan was able to give one-off grants to so many people in urgent need, these figures show just how badly cancer can affect people financially.
“That’s why it’s vital everyone with cancer in Scotland is offered an in-depth assessment of their needs, followed by the right support, from benefits advice to counselling.”
She added that in 2019, Macmillan and the Scottish Government pledged £9m each to fund the Transforming Cancer Care programme which aims to make this a reality, and Ms Preston added the need for the programme in a post-covid world was made clear in the recent cancer recovery plan.
“We’re calling on all political parties and candidates to pledge their support for the programme and its rapid rollout across the country,” she said.
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For Patrick McLean who was diagnosed with cancer for a second time, this time terminal, help from Macmillan has been a lifeline.
The 65-year-old from Glasgow was diagnosed with terminal widespread Metastatic Prostate Cancer in November 2020 – he previously had throat cancer several years ago. He says receiving financial assistance from Macmillan and it’s been a huge help to him.
Patrick McLean, 65, turned to MacMillan after his terminal cancer diagnosis
Mr McLean said: “I received a £350 Macmillan grant to help pay for new clothes and to pay for my heating bills, the charity has also helped me sort personal independence payments. I am not good with technology, I don’t have email or anything like that so they’ve really supported me with all the form filling - I’m so grateful for everything they’ve done for me.”
Living alone in the city he said he has felt very isolated, adding: “I live myself and I don’t have a lot of family so when I was first diagnosed my head was all over the place, but when I spoke to Macmillan Cancer Support, I actually felt like my hand was being held albeit virtually, from there on in.
“It all kicked off just before Christmas when I visited my local health centre with a lot of different issues including a sore hip and pains in my groin. They sent me to the lump clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after they’d discovered a lump on my neck – a few weeks later I was told I have prostate cancer.
“I try to keep myself upbeat but you have good days and you have bad days. When you go to the hospital and they lay it out in front of you and all that’s happening, you can’t help but feel quite down for about 24 hours. I then put it out my mind and make sure I keep my spirits up - the secret is definitely keeping a sense of humour.”
Tracey Cochran, is part of the Glasgow ICJ (Improving the Cancer Journey) team funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and run by Glasgow City Council, witnesses first hand the difference a Macmillan grant can have on someone’s life.
The service was set up in response to people with cancer telling them they had no idea where to turn for emotional, financial and practical help after a diagnosis.
Ms Cochran said: “People are quite often scared following a diagnosis and that fear isn’t just the unknown surrounding cancer, it’s also about how they are going to manage financially."
Macmillan is also calling on political parties and candidates across Scotland to pledge to deliver a new end of life care plan.
Figures from the Scottish Government show there’s been a dramatic increase in people dying from cancer at home rather than hospital during the pandemic, leaving the charity concerned that patients and families may not be receiving the support they need from hard-pressed community palliative care teams.
Macmillan believes this, combined with the expected increase in people being diagnosed later due to the disruption caused by covid, means a renewed focus on end of life care in Scotland is urgently needed.
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