KAREN FUNNELL: Cancer is not a ‘free’ disease, Mr Reilly

For a health minister, James Reilly shows a huge ignorance of cancer. By deeming non-terminal cases to be not “serious enough” to warrant a medical card he proves how little he knows — or cares — about the financial implications of the disease.

Receiving the news that you have cancer is frightening, bewildering, and overwhelming — the last thing you need to worry about is how you’re going to pay for it. But it is a factor.

Cancer is not a “free” disease. Medication costs money, travelling to chemotherapy or radiotherapy sessions eats into your petrol and for chemo patients, a decent wig will set you back around €500 (which medical card holders can claim back).