A third of cancer patients do not take their prescribed medicines because they cannot afford the prescription charge. Many do not know that buying prescription prepayment certificates would help with the cost.

A survey by Macmillan Cancer Support found that 41 per cent of cancer patients did not know about how the certificates could cap their spending on prescriptions.

Jessica Corner, chief clinician at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "It's vital patients are told about prescription prepayment certificates. We are calling on healthcare professionals, as well as the government, to promote the certificates to help the thousands of cash-strapped cancer patients we know are struggling to pay for urgently needed treatment."

For more information visit: www.macmillan.org.uk

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