Financial toxicity

Overview

• Triple-negative breast cancer treatment lasts most of a year and often falls in working life. Macmillan says the law treats cancer as a disability (Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland and Wales), that employers must make reasonable adjustments once they know, that you do not have a legal right to paid time off for appointments unless your contract says so, and that its money advisers give free confidential advice on benefits and grants; Access to Work grants can help people with a health condition keep working.
• Pancreatic Cancer UK says you are protected from discrimination at work and your employer must make reasonable adjustments; that PIP, Attendance Allowance or Carer's Allowance may apply; that where the cancer cannot be cured an SR1 form from your doctor or nurse speeds up claims; that prescriptions are free in England with a medical exemption certificate (form FP92A) for anyone having cancer treatment; and that Macmillan's benefits advisers and calculator can work out what you can claim.
• Bowel cancer in the UK: Bowel Cancer UK says that from diagnosis you are protected from discrimination at work by the Equality Act 2010 (the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland), that your employer must make reasonable adjustments such as different or part-time hours, time off for appointments or changed duties, that a phased return is a normal request, and that the Access to Work schemes can fund equipment and sometimes taxis. It lists the benefits that may apply, including Personal Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment in Scotland, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance.
• Lymphoma in the United Kingdom: Lymphoma Action's work material signposts statutory sick pay, New Style Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment in Scotland, council tax reduction, help with transport costs, help with health costs, Carer's Allowance and Carer's Credit, and grants from Macmillan and Turn2us, alongside the Equality Act protections and reasonable adjustments an employer must consider. Treatment at a cell-therapy centre adds four weeks of accommodation near the hospital for two people, which is the lymphoma-specific cost that catches households out.