Cancer patients are twice as likely to fall into fuel poverty than those without the disease, according to a survey by Macmillan Cancer Support, which found that almost 19% of people who had undergone treatment for cancer in the last year were now in fuel poverty.
The charity is calling for the Winter Fuel Payment to be extended to under-60s who are suffering from the disease.
Currently, over 60s are given up to £400 to help them cope with their gas and electricity bills in winter. However, people aged under 60 are not eligible for the assistance programme.
Sharon Carrington was forced to give up her job in a costume hire shop in Dundee when she was diagnosed with cancer six years ago.
She saw her fuel bills rise as she spent more time at home. However, because she was no longer earning, she was unable to pay and ended up £700 in arrears.
The 44-year-old and her partner now have a power meter to pay for their energy as they use it. The meter is designed to also pay off her outstanding bills and the couple are forced to pay around £50 a week.
She said: "I don’t sleep well and the house is always freezing. Because we’re so frightened of putting the heating on because of the meter, we often don’t bother and just put on more clothes.
"The cancer treatment left me with kidney problems and because of that I still feel the cold a lot more – my hands and feet get especially cold. It’s a huge worry."
Macmillan wants to see fuel poverty support extended to those who are in danger of falling into poverty because of their illness.
The charity's director in Scotland, Elspeth Atkinson, said: "It is unacceptable that people who are already struggling to cope with a cancer diagnosis are also worrying about paying their bills.
"Cancer patients tell us they feel the cold more because of their condition. Their bills also rise because they are spending more time at home with the heating on. Often all this comes at a time when patients are unable to work because they are unwell and so their income plummets.
"Cancer patients under the age of 60 do not automatically qualify for help. This is why we are calling for more help for cancer patients in need."
