MORE than 300 cancer patients in North Yorkshire were given a grant during 2013 to help them with costs relating to their cancer treatment.

Among the 315 people helped by Macmillan Cancer Support, North Yorkshire, patients received £95,504 for clothing, bedding, heating bills and transport, as well as practical household items like washing machines.

Across the UK, more patients were helped with clothing than with any other cost arising from having cancer, Macmillan said. This was followed by grants to help with the cost of fuel bills and grants to help with travel to and from hospital for treatment.

The new figures from the charity highlighted the financial difficulties that often follows a cancer diagnosis, the charity said.

Dr Fran Woodard, Macmillan cancer support director for England, said: “Our latest grants figures are evidence of the financial isolation that can seriously impact people living with cancer.

“To feel unable to buy the clothes you need to keep warm, for example, is an unacceptable reality for thousands of vulnerable cancer patients at a time when, on average, their income halves and their outgoings rocket.”

The need for new clothing often follows a change in weight or body shape due to the effects of cancer and its treatment, or following surgery.

Weight loss is a common symptom of cancer, while certain chemotherapy drugs, steroids, and hormonal therapies can cause weight gain.

According to research carried out for Macmillan, 70 per cent of cancer patients suffer loss of income and/or increased costs as a direct result of their cancer diagnosis.

Macmillan awarded more than £9.6million to more than 32,500 patients in the UK in 2013.

The Macmillan grants programme gives payments to cancer patients who have limited financial resources and are in need of immediate assistance.

To donate to Macmillan Cancer Support, phone 0300 1000 200 or visit macmillan.org.uk/donate

Macmillan grants are just one of the ways the charity can help with the cost of cancer.

For more information about financial support available to patients, phone freephone 0808 808 0000.