Childhood cancer drives two thirds of parents into debt

Survey reveals the true cost of cancer for children and young people

Parents of children with cancer are struggling to cope with the unexpected costs of travel, childcare, food and accommodation while their child has treatment, with 66% turning to borrowing to make ends meet. The worrying statistic is revealed today by CLIC Sargent. The charity also found that three in four (76%) parents reported there was a major impact on their family finances.

CLIC Sargent sought the views of 335 young people with cancer and parents or carers of children with cancer for their report Counting the Costs of Cancer, published today at the start of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (December). Parents and young people told the charity that they spent on average £367 and £277 respectively on cancer-related expenses every month, and with treatment lasting up to three years, the bills soon mounted up.

Many parents are forced to give up work, putting even more pressure on family finances, with three in five (58%) respondents saying they had to reduce the number of hours they worked. Disturbingly, 6% of parents surveyed said they had turned to high interest, short-term payday loans to cope with the additional costs.

Unpaid leave from work, travel costs and care for siblings are some of the additional costs that families face once cancer treatment begins, and CLIC Sargent is concerned that Government reforms will restrict families’ options to financial support through the benefits system.

Eileen from Prestwick is mum to eight-year-old Ross, who, as a baby, was diagnosed with Bilateral Wilms Tumour, a cancer of the kidney. Eileen and her husband, Shaun, gave up work to look after Ross and his older sister during Ross’ treatment and borrowed £20,000 to cover the mortgage and pay the bills.

Eileen, who has yet to pay the loan back seven years on, says: “My husband, Shaun, and I hadn’t planned to give up work, but when you find out how much treatment is required and what is going to happen to your child you want to be with them as much as possible.

“CLIC Sargent gave us two financial grants, and our CLIC Sargent Social Worker, Joyce, helped us to apply for Disability Living Allowance. However, in our case DLA wasn’t paid for three months and we weren’t entitled until Ross was discharged from hospital. This meant that for five months we didn’t have additional financial support.

“The bills were frightening. We had no income so had worries about paying the mortgage and bills, and other costs such as petrol and paying for food at the hospital while Ross was having treatment. So we borrowed £20,000 to pay the mortgage and cover our outgoings.”

CLIC Sargent provides financial as well as emotional, practical and clinical support, to reduce the impact that cancer has on children, young people and their families. The charity offers every family a grant of £170 within 72 hours to help with the extra costs that can arise after a cancer diagnosis. Further grants are available in some cases, and the charity also provides assistance with benefit applications.

Lorraine Clifton, Chief Executive of CLIC Sargent says: “Everyone is suffering in this economic climate but parents of children with cancer are amongst the hardest hit. The extra costs can be significant. It’s shocking to hear that some families felt driven to debt in order to get through financially’.

“We’re dependent on the generous support of the public and other donors to fund our vital work to support young cancer patients, but the money we raise can only be part of the solution. We want to work with the government and other organisations to find better ways of ensuring young people and children with cancer, and their families, have the financial support they need.”