CANCER patients in North Yorkshire are being hit with huge monthly bills following diagnosis, according to one of the UK’s biggest cancer charities.

Travel costs, hospital parking, prescription charges and high fuel bills due to treatment are all costing patients an average of £570 a month, say Macmillan Cancer Support.

The charity is now calling for more help for patients faced with “whopping” bills during one of the most difficult times of their life.

Last year in North Yorkshire, Macmillan used its grants programme to give 283 people financial assistance of £81,987 to help with these extra costs Nick Mudge, Macmillan’s interim general manager in this region, said: “This new research shows that cancer comes with a whopping price tag for many patients. Combined with the current recession and with welfare cuts, the cost of the disease is hitting the most vulnerable hardest. With the number of people living with cancer in the UK doubling from two to four million by 2030, this is a growing problem which cannot be ignored.

“Cancer costs the equivalent of a second mortgage. We must act now to protect the financially vulnerable from having to foot the bill for their illness.”

The charity has launched its Hidden Price Tag campaign asking for more support from the Government and NHS.