Volatile fuel costs and cost-of-living pressures are taking a toll on family budgets, but for those who receive a cancer diagnosis, the sudden increase in costs and reduced income can be a devastating blow.

But local cancer charity Can Assist Orange wants people to know that help is available.

Founded in 1955, Can Assist is a financial assistance organisation dedicated to supporting people affected by cancer in rural and regional areas. They offer confidential assistance to anyone in need of help, whether it be for travel, accommodation, medical bills, utilities or putting food on the table.

"It's heartbreaking. It's really heartbreaking at the moment," Can Assist Orange President Hellen Goodacre said. "You see some of the families, the struggles they are having, and it's going to get worse as the living is extraordinary! Not just food and fuel vouchers but Pharmacy medication this year in the thousands of dollars! We pay pharmacy accounts at every pharmacy in Orange."

In the past 12 months, Can Assist has aided 76 new cancer patients in the Orange and Cabonne local government areas, along with 46 others who have been receiving ongoing support.

"Some could go back five years, as sometimes they go into remission, then they come back again," Helen explained. "But that's what we fundraise for. We don't discriminate; we don't mean to test... we're reaching out to people at a terrible time in their life with cancer. You know, they can't work, the bills pile up, they have to travel, and it's all of those things. So that's when they really need the help.

"We want to let people know we can help; that is the biggest thing."

Despite the amazing assistance provided by Can Assist branches across NSW, Can Assist CEO Nici Andronicus - who paid a visit to the local branch last week - said they know there are many more who need help and that number will only keep growing.

"There's somewhere between 15-21,000 people per year in country NSW getting a cancer diagnosis," Nici said. "And then if you overlay that with the fact that there are between 60-70,000 people living with cancer in that 10-year cohort of survivorship... and with all the progress we're making with the quality of our treatment, people are living longer, they're living longer with cancer and all of the on-costs and the and the challenges of living with cancer, and it can be really difficult.

"We need to be ready to help a great deal more. We're currently helping 4,500 people, which is brilliant. But actually, we feel that any minute now, there's going to be a real increase in that number."

But asking for help is not something country people are always very good at, Nici said, urging people to get in touch and see how Can Assist can help.

"They quite often say - and I hear this every single day - 'It's okay, I'll be okay; help someone who needs it more.' The fact is that this charity exists to wrap their arms around people within the community when cancer strikes and to make it easier.

"And it's not only about the financial cost of cancer; it's also about helping to keep you going and feeling that you've got hope and that you feel supported when times are tough.

"That's a really important part of what this organisation does - and big hearts, like Helen's, are really crucial to the community when times get tough."

You can get in touch with Can Assist by emailing orange@canassist.org.au, or call 0408971945.