And almost two-thirds (59%) miss out on simple leisure activities, like family days out, to cope with their medication costs, says Macmillan Cancer Support.

Its online survey of 477 cancer patients found 44% were struggling to cope with drug costs.

The charity wants prescription charges abolished in England.

Prescription charges were scrapped in Wales in 2007 and will be phased out in Scotland by 2011.

Northern Ireland has frozen its charges while it considers whether to abolish prescription charges following a recent review.

“People must never be forced to choose between food or medication” Ciarán Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support

‘I skip meals to afford my medication’

In England, the government has ruled out any move towards free prescriptions.

Ministers are planning to launch a consultation in the near future, but this will only be looking at “cost-neutral” ways of tweaking the system, including who should be exempt from charges.

Financial struggle

The Macmillan poll found 44% of patients had cut back on essential items like food or heating to pay for the cost of their prescriptions.

At the moment, people over 60, children and those on low incomes do not have to pay the £7.10 per item price tag.

In all, 88% of prescription items are dispensed in the community free of charge.

Macmillan says cancer patients can spend hundreds of pounds each year paying for prescriptions.

Ciarán Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “People must never be forced to choose between food or medication. The Government must act now.

“Patients should be allowed to focus on getting better instead of worrying how they’re going to find money for prescriptions.”

People who do pay for their prescriptions can manage the cost by purchasing a three month or 12 month prescription prepayment certificate (PPC), which allows them to get all the prescription items they need for less than £2 a week.

Annual PPCs are available by monthly direct debit to help spread the cost of payments.

But Macmillan Cancer Support says too few patients are aware of this.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: “Prescription charges are a valuable source of income for the NHS in England (they are expected to raise £435m in 2008-09).

“Entitlement to free prescriptions in England is based on the principle that those who can afford to contribute should do so, while those who are likely to have difficulty in paying should be protected. There are extensive exemption arrangements already in place.

“Those on a low income who are not automatically exempt can apply under the NHS Low Income Scheme. Further information is available on 0845 850 1166.”

For further information on PPCs, People can ask their pharmacist or phone 0845 850 0030 .

News reported by The BBC

To contact Macmillan Cancer Support click here

Breast cancer survivor Amanda Whetstone says she regularly skips breakfast and lunch to save money to pay for her prescriptions.

Amanda, 45, from Chessington in Surrey, said: “Although my cancer treatment – the surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy – has finished, I still need medication.

“As a result of my cancer I’m now on three different drugs. They cost me about £44 a month. That may not sound much to some, but I’m struggling financially.

“I feel penalised because I have a disease that the government doesn’t consider should make me exempt from prescription charges” Amanda Whetstone

“I’m now on statutory sick pay because I’ve been too unwell to work. My income is £360 per month and, quite frankly, I have barely enough money to live on.

“I budget for everything. I don’t go out because I can’t afford to socialise. I can’t even invite friends over for a meal because I can’t afford the food.

“I don’t eat breakfast or lunch. The meals I do buy are ones that are on special offer.

“I can’t afford fresh fruit or meat. I know that isn’t healthy, but I simply can’t afford to buy healthy food.”

Amanda said she has also avoided going for dental and eye checks because she can’t pay the bill.

With winter approaching, she is also worried about rising fuel costs.

“I have stayed awake at night for hours crying, thinking: ‘How can I make this work?’

“Fighting cancer is hard enough without the terrible financial worry that comes with it.

“I feel penalised because I have a disease that the government doesn’t consider should make me exempt from prescription charges.”

Amanda said she had looked into the option of paying a reduced annual fee of for her prescriptions but said she could not afford to pay the lump sum of £102.50.

She was surprised to hear that the prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) scheme, which allows patients to get all the prescription items they need for less than £2 a week, is available by monthly direct debit to help spread the cost of payments.

Alternatively, people who have to pay for more than three prescription items in three months can pay three-month PPC of £27.85.

News reported by The BBC

To contact Macmillan Cancer Support click here