Louth woman highlights financial toll of cancer

A Drogheda woman has spoken about the mounting financial pressures she has faced throughout her cancer journey, as new research from the Irish Cancer Society highlights the significant economic impact of a cancer diagnosis. Miriam Hilliard, originally from Listowel but now living in Drogheda, said years of treatment have brought substantial costs, from hospital parking and fuel to medication and travel expenses.

68 year old Miriam was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2018. Since then, the former teacher and retired civil servant has had a number of cancer reoccurrences and undergone extensive treatment. Throughout, she has had to contend with the cost of cancer.

Miriam said:

“Over the past eight years, I’ve been up and down to the Mater a lot. You're putting fuel in the car and it is €15 a day for car parking charges. My medication, which have I been on since 2018 and will be on for the rest of my life, costs me €80 a month. The other expense which really racks up is just the cost of being on the road.

“You're eating out of hospital canteens, shops or garages and could easily see €30-€40 a day disappear. You also have the costs of your wigs and other medical equipment. This all adds up and over the duration of my cancer experience, it really has added an additional level of financial stress.

She added:

“I have applied for and been refused a medical card. I fully support the Irish Cancer Society in its calls for the abolition of hospital car parking charges for cancer patients and agree that every patient, from the moment they are diagnosed and for the duration of their diagnosis, should be awarded a medical card.”

Data published by the Irish Cancer Society shows that people affected by cancer face additional costs and financial burdens as well as a significant loss of income.

The data reflects the experience of people impacted by cancer. It draws from interviews and a survey conducted by Ireland Thinks, concerns raised by cancer patients through the Irish Cancer Society’s welfare and support service, and other research funded by the Irish Cancer Society.

The findings tell a difficult story of how people can experience an average loss of €16,200 in annual income as a result of cancer diagnosis. People affected by cancer shared that, at a time when their income dropped, they experienced a significant increase in outgoings. Findings show that some patients with advanced cancer or nearing end-of-life are not able to afford to heat their homes.

Cancer patients and those affected by cancer said they paid up to €300 just to get to their appointments each month. This includes car parking fees, fuel costs and toll charges. Cancer patients faced costs of up to €400 per month on medical expenses including GP visits and prescription costs.

Many cancer patients said they were forced to borrow from family or friends, or to spend their savings to make ends meet. The survey found that some people reported falling behind on their mortgage or rent due to the financial hardship.

Findings also reveal cancer patients, who are susceptible to the cold as a result of their illness, face increased costs to keep their homes warm. One in three say they faced significant increases in heating bills.

Nikki Gallagher, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society said:

“Every year, thousands of families across Ireland hear the word cancer for the first time in their own home. In that moment, everything changes, not just physically and emotionally but financially too. Our Real Cost of Cancer survey provides a snapshot of the financial hardship experienced by people with a cancer diagnosis.

“Budget 2027 is an opportunity for the Government to improve the lives of people impacted by cancer. The Irish Cancer Society is calling for a number of practical measures that would make a real difference to the lives of cancer patients.

“The measures include:

• Cancer patients are automatically entitled to a medical card for the duration of their illness;
• The drug repayment scheme threshold is reduced to €40;
• Hospital car parking charges are abolished; and
• Anyone with advanced cancer, or who is nearing end of life is automatically entitled to the Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits Package

“These measures are straightforward to implement and would alleviate a lot of stress for cancer patients.”