After medical card refusal, cancer diagnosis meant mother-of three 'lost any hope' of buying a house

Aoife Murphy with one of her children. Her expenses included hospital and consultant fees, as well as travel costs associated with the 80km journey from her home in Portarlington, Co Laois, to the Mater Hospital in Dublin. Picture: Irish Cancer Society

A mother of three who spent her savings on cancer treatment has "lost any hope" of buying a home, warning that the hidden costs of the disease can quickly spiral.

Aoife Murphy is among a growing number of cancer patients facing difficulties meeting mortgage and rent payments, heating their homes, and covering everyday expenses, according to the Irish Cancer Society.