The New Cost of Cancer Crisis

The cost-of-living crisis; a topic that is dominating conversations across the UK. However, there has always been a ‘cost of cancer. Having cancer and going through treatment can really affect your finances. Your rent and mortgage payments don’t stop when you have cancer, but your regular salary may. You may be unable to work at all, while additional childcare costs could also add to your expenses. These costs can quickly mount up when you are not in a position to work.  

For those already struggling financially because of cancer, rising costs can create impossible choices. Some may even have to choose between heating their home and having a meal.

According to research conducted by Macmillan Cancer Charity, one in four people with cancer in the UK have admitted they ‘can’t afford to live at the moment’*. To put it into perspective, this is almost 750,000 people already struggling. And with prices still rising, there is no denying that this coupled with a cancer diagnosis, will make life harder.

At Insurancewith, we have always been passionate about helping our community through tough times. This was one of the main reasons Fiona founded our company all those years ago. While we cannot alleviate the current rises, we can offer some top tips to help you manage the new cost of cancer.

Eating healthy on a budget

Let’s start with food. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is vital for people living with cancer and those currently undergoing treatment. However, you may have noticed the prices of your ordinary shop creeping up. Below we have put together 4 easy-to-follow tips for keeping the cost of your food shop down, without having to make drastic changes to your diet.

• Avoid Healthy ‘Fast Foods’: Many supermarkets offer ‘healthy’ pre-made meals and snacks. Although these may look enticing, they are often packed with preservatives to keep them fresher for longer. Make sure you check your labels, a good rule to follow is the more ingredients on the packet, the worse it is for you. Opt for fresh produce that you can use in multiple dishes or freeze at home.

• Meal Prep at Home: If you like to grab something to eat on the go, meal prep may be the way forward. You can often make three or four meals at once and keep them in the fridge or freezer for when you need them. This can save you time and money, as you will not need to buy food to cook every day. It also means you can control exactly what you are fuelling your body with. you are someone who likes to just grab something to eat on the go, meal prep may be the way forward.

• Stock Up on Pantry Essentials: A ‘big shop’ can help your money go further. Consider doing one at the beginning or end of the month. Stock up on essentials such as beans, lentils, rice and pasta. This means you will always have healthy options on hand.. They are also great meal prep staples and most cupboard ingredients can be used in a ton of recipes.

• Frozen Fruit and Veg: Don’t discredit frozen fruit and veg. The majority of fruit and vegetables in the freezer aisle are frozen at their freshest point meaning all the nutrition is locked in. As well as this, not only do they last longer than fresh produce they are notably cheaper. Frozen berries, bananas and even avocado are great for smoothies. They are ideal for breakfast or a nutritious snack. You can split the fruit into individual freezer bags, making it easier to grab a portion and pop it straight into the blender.

How to beat the cost of hospital car parks

Hospital car parking prices can quickly add up, particularly if your treatment takes a longer period of time. While you can’t change how long you are in the hospital for, there are a few things you can try to keep the additional costs down.

• Free Parking Schemes: Some hospitals offer free parking for Blue Badge holders. However, this may not always be advertised at the pay meters, so check with the hospital if you are unsure. If you are unsure check with the parking security team or hospital front desk. You may also be able to claim a refund on your parking costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. You can check this online or with your local hospital.

• Parking Vouchers: As well as free parking schemes, look out for permit or parking vouchers offered by your hospital. Most cancer patients who have to go into hospital more than four times a month are eligible.

• Assistance from family or friends: Could a family member or friend take you to some or all of your appointments and pick you up afterwards? Most hospitals have a drop-off and pick-up bay. This could help you avoid paying for parking.

• Closer Roads: There may be roads surrounding the hospital that offer cheaper parking or are free of charge. Be aware of permit-only parking and other restrictions, particularly if the hospital is in or near a town centre or residential area.

Petrol prices are sky high, here is what you can do about it

Anyone else notice their petrol rapidly disappearing every time they start the car?! – us too! Petrol prices reached an all time last year, but thankfully they are starting to come back down again. However, with the cost-of-living crisis continuing, it is likely they could rise again. Depending on the treatment you are receiving and how it makes you feel afterwards it may be an option to look at public transport.

Consider the length of your journey and parking costs. Public transport may be more cost-effective. You could also ask a family member or friend for a lift. They may be able to drop you off and pick you up.

There is also the non-emergency patient transport services, which it may be worth checking if you are eligible for.  Unfortunately it isn’t available in all areas, but to find out if it is available in your area and if you are eligible for the scheme, you can speak to your GP or the healthcare professional who referred you to hospital for the treatment.

Going on holiday on a budget

A holiday is sometimes seen as an essential recuperation for people undergoing or who have just finished cancer treatment, it gives them a chance to get away from the round of hospital appointments and just be them again.  However, with money being spent elsewhere in the house the budget may be tighter than usual. Below we have put together 5 things you can do to keep the costs lower when booking your next break:

• Book with a package holiday provider: Booking through a package holiday provider not only gives you an added layer of protection should anything outside of your control happen and you are not able to go on your holiday as planned, it also takes away some of the planning stress. Having someone else take care of booking flights, accommodation and excursions takes the stress away from you. Package holidays can also work out cheaper. Some providers offer deals on certain destinations or last-minute bookings. This may be worth looking out for if you are flexible about where and when you travel. Just remember to check your treatment dates. You should also make sure you can get travel insurance for your chosen destination and travel dates.

• Last minute holiday bookings: You can sometimes find good deals on last-minute holidays, as companies do not want empty plane seats or hotel rooms. If you are flexible with your travel dates and have a destination in mind, keep an eye on travel websites and travel agents. If you are not set on a particular destination, see what deals are available.

• Try a staycation: Staycation holidays peaked during the pandemic, with people making the most of the UK while borders were closed. Today, many people still choose to holiday in the UK rather than deal with the added costs and planning involved in travelling abroad.. Staying in the UK may also mean your travel insurance costs less than cover for travelling abroad. If you become unwell, you will also have easier access to the NHS and can return home more easily.

• See if you are eligible for financial support: Some cancer charities provide financial support or gift holidays to people going through treatment or living with a cancer diagnosis. This may come from a ‘fund pot’ and cover all or part of the holiday costs for you and your family. If you are on a low income, you may also be entitled to a grant that can help towards the cost of a recuperating holiday.

Make sure you are covered with travel insurance. We understand how difficult it can be to find travel insurance after a cancer diagnosis. Our founder, Fiona, went through the same experience when she wanted to go on holiday after treatment. She found she was unable to get cover, which is why she created Insurancewith to give people a fairer chance of going away. You can read more about Fiona’s story here.

Although we ask more in-depth medical questions, this allows us to assess your situation as it is today, rather than how it was at the time of your diagnosis. If we are unable to offer you a quote online or over the phone, you will be referred to our medical underwriting team. They can then carry out a thorough, more human assessment.

How to find support for the cost of cancer crisis

Although this advice can help, sometimes what you really need is support. There are a number of places you can turn to for help with the cost of living with cancer. Joining local support groups on social media may help you cope and give you more ideas for saving money. You can also find your local support group by searching online.

There are also some places you can turn to for financial support if you are struggling:

• Charity grants
• Household support fund
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Tax Refund
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Stepchange Debt Advice Charity

As always, we are here to support you with your travel and travel insurance queries. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us through our social media channels or by email.

View all posts by Becca Kingsley