GLASGOW'S cancer patients are struggling to cope with thousands of problems, from debt worries to caring for themselves at home.

The scale of the issues facing cancer patients has been revealed by Macmillan Cancer Support as a unique support service in Glasgow celebrates its first year in operation.

More than 430 people with cancer in the city have been helped by the Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) service since last February.

The project, a partnership with Macmillan, Glasgow City Council and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, has helped patients with an average of eight issues each.

Among the almost 3500 issues were money and housing worries, practical problems like caring for themselves at home and emotional problems.

Head of the service Sandra McDermott said: "We knew there was a real need for someone to help cancer patients deal with all the problems the illness causes, but even we have been shocked at the scale of the need out there.

"To think that most of those we've helped - some in quite desperate situations - would have struggled on alone if this service didn't exist is heart-breaking."

Macmillan's director Elspeth Atkinson added: "We know the needs of cancer patients extend well beyond the physical. Cancer can impact on every aspect of a patient's life, from their emotional wellbeing to their finances.

"There is already a lot of support available but far too often patients don't know about it. This project is a fantastic example of health, social care and charities coming together to put the patient at the centre of everything we do.

"We hope the success of this project in Glasgow will be recognised and emulated by health and social care services across Scotland."

James Ferry, 60, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February last year, just after being made redundant from his job as a cleaner.

James, whose cancer is incurable, was living in a bedsit and sharing a bathroom with strangers when his nurse referred him to ICJ.

He said: "When you have bowel cancer you really need to have your own bathroom. After ICJ got in touch with me they got me a flat of my own. If it wasn't for them I think I'd still be in the bedsit.

"ICJ also helped me claim benefits. They just sorted that all out for me. Tracey from the service calls be regularly to see how I'm doing and ask if I need anything. Just knowing she's there has taken away so much of my worry and stress.

"My family have been great and have been trying to do a lot on my behalf, but the people from ICJ know where to go to get things done. I'm so grateful for everything they've done for me."

As first told in the Evening Times, the Improving the Cancer Journey project was launched in February 2014, and began by sending letters to cancer patients with five of the most common cancers before expanding to all in June, offering them emotional, practical, financial and clinical support.

City Treasurer at Glasgow City Council, Cllr Paul Rooney said: "If this project tells us one thing, as a city; it is that living with a diagnosis of cancer poses more problems and challenges for individuals and families than any of us have ever understood before."

To find out more about the Improving the Cancer Journey service call 0141 287 7077.