Sarah was diagnosed with cancer in February of 2018.
Ever since she’s lost an estimated £40,000 as a cancer patient.
🧵👇
Ever since she’s lost an estimated £40,000 as a cancer patient.
🧵👇
‘Since being diagnosed with cancer in February 2018, money has been tight.’
‘I work as a freelancer in TV, and while that is glamorous and exciting, there is also no such thing as taking paid sick leave.’
‘I work as a freelancer in TV, and while that is glamorous and exciting, there is also no such thing as taking paid sick leave.’
It was at the office when Sarah realised there was too much blood in her poo.
‘It had been a symptom I’d been ignoring for at least six months, but something in my head clicked that day.’
‘It had been a symptom I’d been ignoring for at least six months, but something in my head clicked that day.’
‘I called 111 at lunchtime and they told me to go to A&E as soon as possible.'
'Because of the nature of my job, I wouldn’t get paid for missed time — I waited until the end of the day to go to hospital.’
'Because of the nature of my job, I wouldn’t get paid for missed time — I waited until the end of the day to go to hospital.’
From there, she was referred for a colonoscopy. However, two months passed before this procedure took place as this was the next available weekend appointment.
'If I’d gone on a weekday, I would have lost some income.’
'If I’d gone on a weekday, I would have lost some income.’
‘In February 2018 – four months after my initial visit to A&E – a colorectal surgeon confirmed our darkest fears: it was definitely cancer.’
It was stage 3C – operable, but only time would reveal whether it had spread anywhere else.
It was stage 3C – operable, but only time would reveal whether it had spread anywhere else.
That first year, Sarah spent two weeks in hospital having the diseased part of her intestine removed, then two months recovering at home, followed by six months of chemotherapy.
‘During that time, my savings dried up and I ended up claiming Employment Support Allowance (ESA, which has since been subsumed into Universal Credit)£73.10 a week.’
It was no surprise to Sarah when Macmillan Cancer Support released new findings in December that 83% of cancer patients experience financial impact from their diagnosis.
This is reportedly from a combination of lost work, along with the added expenses their health condition incur.
‘As I read the report, my heart sank – it was bitingly close to home.’
‘As I read the report, my heart sank – it was bitingly close to home.’
‘Because I am freelance, when I am in hospital recovering, my earnings are slashed to zero. I have claimed Universal Credit (UC) on and off since my first surgery.’
‘Then, when I have been able to find work between my surgeries, I have tended to get taxis in the mornings to avoid the crush on public transport that might have exacerbated my internal wounds.’
Macmillan’s report showed that for those living with the long-term effects of cancer, the total average cost of cancer – from diagnosis onwards – reaches at least £36,000 for those living with the long-term effects of their cancer or its treatment.
‘While my friends are planning holidays and extensions, I will just be glad to get to a place where I am debt-free.’
'There are two things I know would have made a difference to my financial outcomes.''
'Firstly, a benefits system that is fit for purpose: my benefits have been clawed back at every turn and made impossible to claim when I was at my lowest ebb.'
'Firstly, a benefits system that is fit for purpose: my benefits have been clawed back at every turn and made impossible to claim when I was at my lowest ebb.'
'And secondly, a better-funded #NHS. As it stands, my doctors are unable to tell me when my next surgery will be, and I, in turn, am unable to tell employers what my availability is.'
metro.co.uk/2022/01/12/ive…
metro.co.uk/2022/01/12/ive…
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
