UP to 3,500 of the 4,600 people diagnosed with cancer every year in Dorset could develop financial difficulties as a result of their illness, a major charity has claimed.

Macmillan Cancer Relief revealed the figures as it launched its new campaign to get a better deal for people dealing with the disease.

The charity says that while a cancer diagnosis is devastating, the cost of having the disease can run into tens of thousands of pounds through loss of earnings, and extra expenses of travel and Parking at hospital, and outpatient prescriptions.

Christine Harris, 56, of Poole, was first diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago. "I now have secondary bone cancer. I have to take certain drugs that keep me alive. As a cancer patient you have to pay for prescriptions," she said.

Mrs Harris had to give up her job as a home carer 18 months ago. "The first time I claimed for benefits I was turned down and it felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall. Luckily I met a Macmillan Cancer Centre manager at St Mary's Hospital in Portsmouth and she was very helpful guiding me through filling in the form. The financial side is a little bit better."

Kathleen Knowles, 63, of Bournemouth, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991. "It has incurred me a lot of extra expenses. I could spend up to £100 a month on additional alternative treatments," she said.

"I managed to get Incapacity Benefit after being off sick for a period of time, then they gave me early retirement from Liverpool Victoria on the grounds of ill health. My cancer is now incurable. I attend hospital twice in every three weeks. Parking at the moment isn't too bad, but I know like everything else, it's going to go up."

Macmillan Cancer Relief is calling on the government to make sure every cancer patient is offered specialist benefits advice at diagnosis, and that access to Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance is improved.

For advice and information on helping with the cost of cancer, ring freephone 0800 500 800 or log on to www.macmillan.org.uk/abetterdeal.

First published: November 12