Cancer patients’ health is at increased risk from cost of living crisis, charity warns

Hundreds of thousands of cancer patients are being forced to put their health at risk because of the UK’s cost of living crisis, the charity Macmillan Cancer Support has warned.

Since December 2021, nearly a quarter (24%) of people with cancer have had to cut costs either by buying less food or making fewer hot meals, including 26% of those currently having treatment, a poll by the charity found.

With energy and other household bills spiralling, around one million (32%) people with cancer have resorted to wearing coats or dressing gowns indoors more to try to stay warm without spending more, the charity said on 29 April.

One in six (16%) have been washing their clothes or bedding less—or not at all—to try to keep costs down. …