Extra costs of Cancer to patients must end

2.48.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 28th Jul 2005

This week local MP, Andrew Stunell, spoke out about the financial distress many cancer sufferers face, and called for an end to the 'hidden costs' of cancer.

Andrew Stunell MP said:

"Many people who suffer from cancer find that money worries add to their burden. Costs of travel to hospitals and parking over a long period of treatment really add up.

"Even people who are eligible for financial support have to wait up to six months before they can claim. The Government must change the way support is given to cancer patients.

"Cancer patients should not have to worry about finding the money to attend their life saving treatment. They should be supported through from day one, not six months down the line".

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The text of the Parliamentary Motion is:

That this House welcomes the launch of Macmillan Cancer Relief's Better Deal Campaign to highlight the financial distress of many people with a cancer diagnosis; notes that more than three quarters of people surveyed said that they had run up extra bills during treatment; especially notes the unavoidable cumulative burden of the costs of travel to hospital and hospital car parking for regular treatment; and calls on the Goverenment to work with Macmillian to review the help available to meet these costs to ensure that cancer patients do not have to worry about finding the money to attend their life saving treatment.

2. See the Macmillan Cancer Relief campaign website for more details:

www.politics.co.uk/campaignsite/ macmillan-cancer-relief-$1587914$3.htm - 9k