People living with mouth cancer could face more than £2,000 in extra costs every year, as new research exposes the severe financial burden the disease places on patients and their families.
Findings from the Oral Health Foundation’s Mouth Cancer Impact Report: From Diagnosis to Daily Life reveal that the costs of treatment, travel and aftercare are leaving many survivors struggling to stay financially afloat.
According to the charity, seven-in-ten (70%) say their finances have been negatively affected by mouth cancer, with more than a quarter (28%) saying it has left them in serious financial difficulty. Patients are being forced to cut spending, dip into savings, or borrow money simply to cope with the cost of recovery.
The report found that 60% of survivors face extra dental expenses – some paying more than £500 a year – while 70% have rising travel costs for hospital appointments. Almost half spend more on specialist food or supplements, and 40% have been forced to use savings or retirement funds to pay for their care.
On average, this adds up to around £1,100 a year across all patients, but for those most affected, the cost can exceed £2,000 annually – more than many families can afford.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says: “It is deeply unfair that people who have already endured the trauma of mouth cancer should face a financial penalty for trying to recover.
“The costs of specialist food, dental treatment and constant hospital visits quickly mount up, putting enormous pressure on patients and their families.
“No one should have to choose between their health and their financial security. Cancer care in the UK must do more to recognise and support those facing these hidden burdens.”
Other reported financial pressures associated with mouth cancer include higher insurance premiums, the cost of replacing clothing after significant weight loss, and paying privately for treatment to manage long-term health complications caused by the disease.
Tongue cancer survivor Ben suffered from fibrosis as a long-term side effect of his treatment, yet struggled to access support on the NHS. Ben was forced to seek private treatment and pay out of his own pocket.
Ben says: “The NHS are brilliant with the lymphatic massage, but when it comes to aftercare for scarring and fibrosis, there just isn’t proper support. You can get that treatment privately, but of course you have to pay for it – which is an extra expense.”
Ben also describes the impact on his ability to work. He adds: “My ability to work has dropped off completely, which limits how much I earn. But to look after myself (post-cancer) I must spend even more money that I just don’t have.”
Previous studies have found that up to one-in-three (33%) mouth cancer patients do not return to work after treatment, highlighting the long-term impact the disease can have on employment and financial stability.
Mr Mahesh Kumar, President of the Mouth Cancer Foundation and Maxillofacial Surgeon, says the research highlights the urgent need for joined-up support that extends beyond treatment.
Mr Kumar says: “Financial stress is one of the most overlooked aspects of cancer recovery. For many, returning to work is not possible, and day-to-day costs like dental care or travel can become overwhelming.
“We must build a system where patients are offered practical financial advice, grants and benefits guidance as part of their recovery – not left to find their own way.”
For Mouth Cancer Action Month this November, the Oral Health Foundation is calling for improved access to financial advice, hardship support and community grants for those living with and beyond mouth cancer. The charity says helping survivors stay financially stable is key to their long-term wellbeing.
More people in the UK are being diagnosed with mouth cancer than ever before, with cases now topping 11,000 each year. The disease still claims more than 3,000 lives annually, many of which could be saved through earlier diagnosis.
Persistent mouth ulcers, red or white patches, and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth, head or neck can all be warning signs of mouth cancer. The Oral Health Foundation urges anyone who notices these symptoms to get them checked by a dentist or doctor without delay.
For more information and advice, visit www.mouthcancer.org.
