The need for new clothing is the next topic of our ‘cost of cancer’ blog mini-series. If you haven’t yet read the ‘Need help with transport and parking fees’ blog, you can click the link to read it. We know there are often additional costs incurred due to a cancer diagnosis and the ‘cost of cancer series’ is highlighting a few of the costs that members of our Online Community have. Like our previous blog in the series, we will feature conversations from different Online Community groups and include support information.
“It's not just bills cancer patients could use some financial help with, it's the day to day things that they don't get support, like bra costs, prosthesis, hospital parking/triage long waiting or… clothing costs. Having to buy new clothes, just to accommodate the weather if it's hot to cover and protect PICC/PORT lines etc. These are the things that tot up and have to be found exclusively by the cancer sufferer and are not outlined at diagnosis.”
Community member, ‘Breast cancer aftercare’ discussion thread, Breast cancer forum.
The additional cost of new clothing can add up, especially when the cost of living is rising in the UK. Read our ‘Cost of living resources’ blog to learn more about how Macmillan can help.
Some side effects of treatment can cause a change in appearance due to weight loss or weight gain. This can affect what clothes you wear and may possibly mean you need to buy some new clothing.
“Starting my immunotherapy next week, the weight has just dropped off over the last few weeks. I've lost over a stone … and I need new jeans.”
Community member, ‘Weight loss and buying clothes’ discussion thread, Cancer chat forum
Having surgery may require you to require specialist clothing to support your recovery. This could be comfy lose clothing or specially made items such as mastectomy bras.
“I’m due to go into hospital in a couple of weeks for a single mastectomy with reconstruction. I have been advised to get the total support bra's which is fine, and I have bought button top pjs. What do you suggest clothing wise for coming home from hospital?”
Community member. ‘Post mastectomy clothing’ discussion’, Breast cancer for the under 50’s forum
Needing some help choosing bra’s after surgery? Macmillan’s Cancer Information team recently published the ‘Choosing bras after breast surgery’ blog which you can click the link to find useful tips on finding and choosing the right bra for you.
Living with a stoma may mean that you need different comfortable clothing. Coming to the Community to ask members of our Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support forum can be a good please to get suggestions.
“Could anyone recommend places that might sell men's clothing suitable for someone with a stoma, please? A family member has a stoma after a urostomy as a result of bladder and kidney cancer. He's managed to get high-waisted but now he's looking for some long shorts. The obvious place to look for help is a forum such as this one, but that would be too simple for him, which is why I'm here asking on his behalf.”
Community member, ‘High waisted clothing for someone with a stoma bag’ discussion thread, Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support forum
“I'm really struggling with finding the right clothes to wear. My surgery was 2 months ago. I've been living in warm climates most of my life, so don't have much to wear for cold weather and what I had I cannot wear anymore. I find trousers very uncomfortable to wear with a bag, even baggy ones”
Community member, ‘Finding clothes to wear with a urostomy bag’ discussion thread, Bladder cancer forum
There's many different reasons why you may need to buy new clothes because of a cancer diagnosis, and if you need some financial support with this, why not get in touch with us.
Macmillan grants and financial support
There's lots of different ways Macmillan can help and our Money and work teams can offer tailored information and guidance around the financial support available to you.
Our Financial Guides can look at personal finances such as mortgages and pensions and the Welfare Rights team can complete a full benefits assessment and support you with any applications. They’ll also refer you to our Energy advice team if needed and share information about our Macmillan grant if you’d like to know more about this.
Macmillan grants are one-off payments that help people living with cancer cope with the extra costs that cancer can cause. If you're struggling with buying additonal clothing because of your cancer diagnosis or treatment, please call 0808 808 00 00 to speak with our specialist teams. There’s an option to send an email or use live webchat from 8am to 8pm every day.
“I would recommend phoning the Macmillan help line for advice…they were very helpful, they can advise re benefits, grants etc”
Community member, 'New! Devestated/questions' discussion thread, Breast cancer forum
Have you experienced additional costs due to your cancer diagnosis? Use the Comment box below to tell us more about this.
If you’d like to be our next guest blogger and share your cancer story in our Community news blog- please contact community@macmillan.org.uk and use ‘Community news blog’ in your email.
