The Real Cost of Cancer: Your stories

Aisling is a breast cancer survivor from Wicklow who found it very difficult to manage financially during her cancer treatment. A mother of 2, it took her 5 years to feel normal again.

Father of 6 Michael was 54 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was self employed. He spent his entire life savings on his treatment.

Sinead was a new mum at 34 when she was diagnosed with lymphoma. It took her and family nearly 10 years to recover financially from their experience.

Avril's husband went through leukaemia in 2014 and both had to give up work during treatment. Together with their 3 children the family had to survive on barely €300 a week.

A GP, Sarah is living with metastatic bowel cancer - bowel cancer that has spread to other parts of her body. Her experience has prompted her to become an advocate for metastatic cancer patients.

Cathy Lynch, 56 from Co Offaly, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2005. Her husband John had just set up a new business and life was busy with her three boys who were aged 11, 8 and 6 at the time.