ALMOST a quarter of people with cancer in Sussex have no savings to cushion the financial impact of the disease.

Research published by Macmillan Cancer Support shows money worries can affect people struggling to cope with the condition when they least expect it.

The charity warns a lack of a financial safety net could leave an estimated 63,000 people across the county and the South East vulnerable to hardship.

Cancer can be tough on people’s finances as there may be significant loss of income from being too unwell to work, additional travel costs to and from hospital appointments and increased heating bills.

Previous research by the charity has shown that for most people, cancer costs an average of £570 a month in lost income or increased expenditure.

Elizabeth Als, 48, from Rye, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and again in 2012 and has been through gruelling chemotherapy, radiotherapy and two mastectomies.

She has recovered well and is now back at work but said she faced difficulties at the time.

Ms Als said: “Claiming benefits can be extremely complicated and it’s the last thing you feel you have the energy for when you’ve been knocked for six -– first by the shock of a diagnosis and then by the side effects of treatment.

“All of a sudden you’re not going to work and you find yourself at home much more, which means increased utility bills.”

Macmillan helps cancer patients throughout Sussex at its Horizon Centre, which is based next to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Welfare benefits service administrator Janet Pratt said: “People can come to us in a complete and utter state.

“Sometimes they have had to give up work, maybe because of risk of infection or because of physical changes.

“Being faced with no income makes their situation feel insurmountable.”

“People can soon feel out of control.

“We cannot solve everything for them but it will be one less thing on their mind.

“The additional costs start to mount up when you get a cancer diagnosis and you don’t always realise how much you are spending.

“For instance, you may need to buy pads for dressings, or new clothes because you have either gained or lost a lot of weight.

“Sadly, some people are too proud to ask for help. It’s not just about money, it is also about health and care too.

“If benefits are awarded it could help some people to regain independence and are less likely to feel like they are relying on relatives and friends.”