Cancer patients losing average of €16,200 annual income

The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said that people affected by cancer lose an average of €16,200 in annual income as a result of their diagnosis.

It said that people affected by cancer face additional costs and financial burdens, as well as a significant loss of income.

The Real Cost of Cancer data was collected from surveys and interviews of people affected by cancer, conducted by Ireland Thinks, funded by the ICS.

If found that cancer patients face costs of up to €400 a month on medical expenses, including GP visits and prescription costs.

They also face monthly travel associated costs of up to €300 a month, which include car parking fees, fuel costs and toll charges.

The ICS says that cancer patients reported struggling to heat their homes, fell behind on their mortgage or rent, or needed to borrow to cope with the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis.

Many patients said they had to spend their savings to make ends meet.

Nikki Gallagher, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, said that every year, thousands of families across the country hear the word cancer for the first time, in their own home.

She said in that moment, everything changes, not just physically and emotionally, but financially too.