Thousands of cancer patients lose their homes

New research out today shows one in seventeen (6%) people lose their home after being diagnosed with cancer and one in six (18%) have difficulties in keeping up with their mortgage or rental payments, according to Macmillan Cancer Support. For those with cancer who are self-employed, the figure is higher still with one in nine (11%) losing their home. Each year over 250,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK.

Macmillan's Chief Executive Peter Cardy says, "This is shocking. Having cancer should not cost you your home. These figures show that, through cancer, as many as 45,000 people each year are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and 15,000 have lost their homes. If only they had been given the right help at the right time. Macmillan would like to see all patients given specialist benefits advice and financial help after being diagnosed with cancer."

Deborah Soesan from Coventry was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2003. She is married with five children. Deborah had to give up her job after being diagnosed. Then her husband lost his job. They have had to take two mortgage breaks already and may have to take a further one. They have also had to change their mortgage from an endowment to an interest only one and she doesn't know how they'll ever manage to pay off the debt. "When you've been diagnosed with cancer, your main thing is to survive. Then as you start to recover, you encounter all these money problems. You feel like you are being punished. It's harder than all the other stuff you have to go through."

The picture is worse for some

Figures also reveal that:

Some 28% of cancer patients with children (under 18 years old) have difficulties keeping up payments compared to 15% of those without children.

25% of people aged 35-44 years find repayments a problem compared to 6% of those over 65 years old.

"These figures really hit home. Too many people are facing overwhelming financial pressures at a time when they are fighting cancer - borrowing money, moving in with family, selling up or moving to help make ends meet. Some even face repossession," Peter Cardy continues. "Macmillan is raising awareness of this desperate financial situation to help prevent more cancer patients from reaching crisis point."

After being diagnosed with cancer, people often face a drop in income, or lose it altogether, at the same time as they face a number of extra costs including prescription charges, hospital parking costs, special diets or high fuel bills. These financial pressures can lead to people struggling or falling behind with their rental or mortgage payments.

Gerard Murphy from Rochdale was diagnosed with leukaemia in March 2005. He and his wife couldn't afford to pay the mortgage after he had to give up work and Amanda, his wife, gave up work to become his carer. They spent all their savings on their mortgage and fell behind with their payments. Their mortgage lender was not understanding and they threatened to repossess their home. Finally their benefits came through, and now they are paying the interest only on their mortgage. "We have had a terrible time; we never imaged that things could get so bad - being threatened with repossession is really the last ordeal you need when you are ill."

To help publicise the financial help available, Macmillan's Hitting Home campaign launches with a major UK-wide awareness drive using radio adverts, patient advice leaflets and posters in hospitals, libraries and Macmillan Information Centres and campaigning posters in estate agent windows. To find out about financial help available, people affected by cancer can call the Macmillan campaign line free on 0800 500 800 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk/abetterdeal

Macmillan is also working in partnership with Shelter, the UK's biggest national housing charity. People who call Macmillan's campaign line in a crisis will be forwarded on to Shelter's national housing advice helpline for support. Adam Sampson, Shelter's Chief Executive, says, "Every year Shelter's frontline services help thousands of people who face losing their home through no fault of their own. By working with Macmillan on their innovative campaign, we will be able to offer specialist support and advice to cancer patients in housing need. As Macmillan shows, cancer can be devastating enough for people without the added stress of losing their home."

Macmillan is also urging the public to get behind the Hitting Home campaign by 'taking action' and emailing their local newspaper through Macmillan's website www.macmillan.org.uk/abetterdeal to register their concern and raise awareness of the financial help available.

Macmillan's Hitting Home Check List

1) Talk to your mortgage lender and explain - you may be able to switch to an interest only mortgage, defer payments or take a mortgage 'break'. Or talk to your landlord and explain your situation.

2) Check your insurance policies. You may find your rent or mortgage is covered.

3) You might be entitled to claim benefits such as disability living allowance, income support, or housing tax benefit. Call Macmillan's campaign line on 0800 500 800 to find out about benefits agencies in your area or to order a free copy of 'Help with the Cost of Cancer.'