Cancer patients who change weight or body shape because of cancer or cancer treatment are relying on charity handouts because they cannot afford new clothes, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.
The charity said 48% of cancer patients who received a Macmillan grant in the last 12 months needed it to help pay for clothing.
More patients were helped with clothing than with any other cost arising from having cancer, such as the cost of fuel bills or travelling to hospital.
Macmillan gave one-off payments totalling £2,105,612 to 14,938 cancer patients in the last 12 months to go towards clothing.
This is a fifth of the total amount given in grants. Over 600 people receive a grant from each week.
Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "Clothing is one of a number of hidden costs cancer patients are burdened with at a time when, on average, their income halves and their outgoings rocket.
"Patients already have to deal with the physical changes to their bodies - they shouldn't have the added stress of not being able to afford new clothes."
