Cancer patients left isolated

Almost a quarter of cancer patients lack support from family and friends during their treatment and recovery, a charity has found.

Patients told a survey that family and friends were "too busy" or lived too far away, a spokeswoman for Macmillan Cancer Support said.

The charity, which surveyed 1,700 patients, said isolation could have a "shattering impact" on people living with cancer. The poll found that 23 per cent felt isolated, a third experienced depression and many skipped meals and treatment because of a lack of support.