But having cancer can be expensive in ways you may never have expected: you may have to pay for prescriptions, a special diet, childcare or travel to hospital. You may not be able to work for a time. If you are struggling to cope with the financial effect of cancer, remember that there is help available.

The aim of this section is to explain what financial benefits are available and to show you how you can get this help. To make things even clearer, it may also be helpful to speak to an experienced benefits adviser or to call one of the useful phone numbers given in this section.

We hope that, with the right advice and information, you will be able to get the help you need with your money problems – allowing you to focus on what really matters.