CANCER patients in Dorset who change weight or body shape because of their condition are relying on charity handouts because they cannot afford the new clothes they need.

Statistics from Macmillan Cancer Support show that 27 per cent of cancer patients who received a Macmillan grant in the last 12 months in Dorset needed it to help pay for clothing.

Across the UK, nearly half of grants awarded helped to pay for clothes than with any other cost such as fuel bills or travelling to hospital.

Macmillan gave one-off payments totalling £8,360 to 67 cancer patients in Dorset in the last 12 months to go towards clothing.

Over the UK as a whole the amount was £2,105,612 for 14,938 people, a fifth of the total amount given in grants.

Macmillan says weight loss is a common symptom of cancer, while certain chemotherapy drugs, steroids, and hormonal therapies can cause weight gain.

Macmillan CAB Benefits Adviser in Dorset Leigh Gover said: “The sheer number of cancer patients turning to Macmillan for help towards clothing highlights just how much they struggle financially. Clothing is one of a number of hidden costs cancer patients are burdened with at a time when their income halves.”