Claire O'Donnell is urging anyone with the illness to seek support as financial pressures continue to grow
A cancer patient has told of the stark reality facing those battling the disease as the cost of living crisis soars. Edinburgh woman Claire O'Donnell was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in March 2016.
She explained: "Six years ago was when I found my lump, I had gone to my GP, there's an awful lot of back and forth, and was told different things, but I knew myself something wasn't right. Even to get a screening was really hard on the NHS. These cancer screenings can be life-saving as if it's found early enough, it can be easier to treat. But not everyone has that luxury of being able to go to a private clinic and Claire empathises with people who aren't able to make appointments.
"Cancer is expensive to treat and to live with, especially secondary breast cancer and obviously, for me, I want to live for as long as possible. But that that's going to mean that I always have this expense of hospital appointments, going back and forth and with the cost of living crisis, it is going to make it even harder. It really is difficult and I don't think people appreciate how expensive it can be for breast cancer patients.
"You don't want to be in that situation when you are unwell. You just want to be looked after and to have the best treatment you possibly can. But that can be really difficult when it comes to the case of what you can afford. She said: "I think you need to reach out to charities or ask your GP or ask your oncologist or your breast care nurse to point you in the right direction. You need to find that group that can help you focus and take you under their wing.
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