NEARLY half of all people with terminal cancer in the region are missing out on benefits, according to a report.

Macmillan Cancer Relief estimates that more than £5.7m in disability benefits is going unclaimed in the North-East.

The charity is concerned that many cancer patients given less than six months to live are not aware that they have an automatic entitlement to disability living allowance and attendance allowance.

Macmillan believes that a lack of information, confusion and embarrassment are preventing people from claiming what is due to them.

The Macmillan report, entitled The Unclaimed Millions, has found that 48 per cent of North-East people diagnosed as terminally ill are not claiming the benefits to which they are entitled.

Karen Winch, 37, from Sunderland, who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, said: "I was told about benefits when I was first diagnosed but I found it really hard to access them as all the departments I contacted seemed to contradict each other."

Macmillan also points out that people with cancer who have not been given a terminal diagnosis may be eligible for disability living allowance if they have care or mobility needs.

This allowance is not means-tested and can be claimed by anyone regardless of their household income or employment status.

Maureen Rutter, director of Macmillan Cancer Relief Northern Region, said: "It is appalling that people affected by cancer are faced with the unacceptable extra stress and worry of money problems when they are most vulnerable, especially when that help does exist if only they knew about it."

* For a free booklet about benefits for cancer patients ring Cancerline 0808 808 2020.