FREE advice and support for those living with cancer will be available in Wiltshire next week from experts from Macmillan as part of its Money And Cancer campaign.

The team will be in Devizes today (Feb 9) and Trowbridge on Friday to give particular advice on what financial support is available.

A spokesman for Macmillan Cancer Support said: "Cancer can impact all aspects of your life, not just your health. This February, the team are highlighting issues around the financial impact of cancer. If you've been affected by cancer, your finances might not be your first thought, but many people are faced with extra costs they hadn't considered.

"Macmillan research shows that 83 per cent of people are, on average, £570 a month worse off because of a cancer diagnosis. This is often due to being unable to work and having increased costs such as travel to hospital or increased fuel bills.

"The campaign aims to minimise the financial impact of cancer for people living with the disease. Macmillan provides a range of financial support including benefits advice, grants, guidance on financial products and services so that people with cancer can focus on what matters most in their life."

Tina Churchill, a Macmillan information and support specialist said the team would be able to point people in the right direction for getting financial help.

She said: "It’s really important that people living with cancer are able to access the financial advice and support they are entitled to, so they can focus on what’s most important: their health. We can help signpost people to Macmillan benefits advisers who can provide free, confidential advice.

“We’re also here to answer any questions about cancer. Whether you want to know what symptoms to look out for, need advice about managing the side effects of your treatment, or want to find local support for carers, come along and see us. We’d be happy to help.”

Macmillan's five mobile information units travel around the UK visiting local communities, providing cancer information and advice on the ground. Last year they helped around 115,000 people in over 672 locations across the UK.

The roadshow will be in the Market Place, Devizes today from 10am to 4pm and in Fore Street, Trowbridge tomorrow (10) from 9am to 3pm.

For further information about Macmillan’s mobile information service, and planned visits, go to http://www.macmillan.org.uk/aboutus/contactus/mobileinformationcentrelocations.aspx