While the physical and emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis can be immense, many patients and their families are also overwhelmed by the financial implications of the disease, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said.

It has just launched a major new survey aimed at discovering the true financial cost of a cancer diagnosis, and is appealing to patients and their families to get involved.

"Our information shows that a cancer diagnosis hits patients and their families hard financially. If someone is self-employed, young, without private health insurance, not eligible for a medical card or doesn't have savings, they are left in a very vulnerable position of being unable to manage basic expenses such as heating and travel to hospital for treatment," commented ICS head of advocacy, Kathleen O'Meara.

She pointed out that the society is hearing from ‘an increasing number of people who are finding it difficult to meet these additional expenses'.

In fact, over the last five years, the number of patients undergoing treatment who have asked the society for financial help to pay for necessities such as travel expenses and heating, has jumped by 82%.

Last year, the ICS gave over €1.5 million to cancer patients and their families via its Financial Support Scheme.

"This money goes towards essentials such as fuel to heat a patient's house, childcare or travel costs. When our research is concluded, the ICS will be making recommendations to the Government, businesses and the HSE to ensure the right support is available at the right time for cancer patients," Ms O'Meara explained.

She called on ‘as many people as possible' to respond to the survey, as this will provide the most accurate picture of the financial challenges faced by patients and their families.

"Queries about cancer costs, such as heating and travel, are now the third most frequent type of call to the Cancer Nurseline. We are hearing an increased anxiety from our callers about the cost to them of having cancer. We are giving more financial support to those who need it, but it is often not enough and we are seeing a growing number of cancer patients who are simply unable to manage the extra cost to them because they have cancer," Ms O'Meara noted.

Last year, the top three reasons for needing financial assistance were heating and fuel (54%), travel expenses (23%) and childcare (7%).

The highest number of applications for financial support came from breast cancer patients, followed by lung and colorectal cancer patients.

Also commenting on this issue, Liz Barragry, a senior medical social worker at the Mater Hospital in Dublin, noted that many cancer patients initially visit her because of the financial burden of the disease.

"They are often overwhelmed by their diagnosis and financial stress is a big factor in that. This is true for any cancer type. So while patients are adjusting psychologically to their diagnosis they are also adjusting to lower incomes, increased outgoings such as medications, travel, and increased household costs.

"Additionally, they have to engage with the financial support systems provided by the State, which are often unfamiliar and frustrating," she pointed out.

If you would like to take part in the survey, click here