Cancer patients in clothes cash call

Many cancer patients who lose weight due to their disease rely on handouts to buy new clothes, a charity has claimed.

A Macmillan Cancer Support spokeswoman said that 48 per cent of patients it gave grant aid to last year needed it for new clothing, more than for any other cost, including heating bills and travel to hospital.

Weight loss is a common symptom of cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support chief executive Ciaran Devane said: “Clothing is one of a number of hidden costs cancer patients are burdened with at a time when, on average, their income halves and their outgoings rocket.

“Patients have to deal with the physical changes – they shouldn’t have the added stress of not being able to afford new clothes.”