BEING diagnosed with cancer is most people's worst nightmare. But at a time when patients are worried about their health, it can be a sudden and huge shock to realise they may no longer be able to pay their bills.

Around 4,600 people diagnosed with cancer in Dorset every year and as many as 3,500 of them could go on to develop financial difficulties because of their illness, according to Macmillan Cancer Relief.

That is why part of the £600,000 to be raised by the Daily Echo and Advertiser-supported Macmillan Appeal for Dorset will fund a welfare benefits adviser, to be based in Poole.

The charity says many people may qualify for disability living allowance, attendance allowance, or other benefits, but lack of knowledge, embarrassment or the difficulty of dealing with bureaucracy may stop them accessing money to which they are entitled.

The need for the new post is underlined by cancer patient Chrissie Harris, of Poole, who was diagnosed with low-grade breast cancer nearly 10 years ago. During surgery, some of her lymph glands were removed and problems afterwards with her arm meant she had to give up her job.

In July 2003, after 18 months of pain and discomfort, she was diagnosed with secondary bone cancer affecting her spine and other parts of her body, limiting her mobility and ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

Her husband Bill took early retirement to give Chrissie more support, dramatically affecting the couple's monthly income. Chrissie ended up travelling 55 miles to Portsmouth to see a benefits adviser, but was able to make a successful claim.

"It is wonderful Macmillan is funding this much-needed post in Poole. It will mean that other people are able to have the help they need without travelling," she said.

The service will be the first of its kind in Dorset. It will be funded for three years by Macmillan Cancer Relief, with Poole Citizens' Advice Bureau employing and supporting a full-time dedicated advice worker.

The bureau has a long history of helping people work through the maze of benefit claims forms and negotiating with banks, building societies and other creditors.

It has been running an outreach service at Poole Hospital for many years, and during this time has come across many people diagnosed with cancer who are experiencing difficulty claiming benefits designed to support people with long-term and devastating illness.

First published: April 2