Perth and Kinross cancer sufferers are relying on charity handouts to help them get to hospital for treatment, it has been claimed.
Last year Macmillan Cancer Support provided more than £31,000 to help patients deal with the financial impact of the condition.
The charity said the financial hardship caused by the disease left many unable to pay for essential items and services.
The donation helped 95 patients pay fuel bills, buy clothing and a bed, as well as going towards costs for travelling to and from hospital.
Janice Preston of Macmillan Cancer Support said: “A cancer diagnosis can stop people working which means they have to live on a vastly reduced income and at the same time it brings increased costs.
“Cancer patients need to put their energy into getting better.
“Instead many are living in cold homes anxious about how they’re going to cope with increased costs such as energy bills and travelling to and from hospital.”
The charity provides one-off grants for people with cancer who have a low income and savings, complementing support available from Social Services and Social Security.
Research by Macmillan found that four in five people in Scotland are, on average, £420 a month worse off as a result of a cancer diagnosis, due to a reduced income and increased expenses.
Figures show that more than a third of Scottish cancer patients admitted to struggling to keep up with financial commitments, such as paying their mortgage, rent or council tax.
Almost half of patients also faced increased fuel bills because they struggled to keep warm as a result of their treatment.
This resulted in more than a quarter of people with cancer not being able to keep their home adequately warm in winter because of the expense.
Mrs Preston added: “Cancer patients are clearly in desperate need of financial support.
“These figures show just how much people affected by cancer in Scotland are relying on help from Macmillan to cope with the financial impact of the disease.”
Anyone worried about paying their fuel bills or needing other financial help should call 0808 8080000 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk/heating.