AMP and the Cancer Council have launched a new program to provide free financial planning services to cancer patients.

Advisers will help cancer patients with early access to insurance benefits, dealing with mortgage hardship and advising on Centrelink, debt management and budgeting.

Cancer Council research shows households can expect to lose more than $47,200 when a family member is diagnosed with cancer.

The research also identifies significant gaps in access to financial planning services due to cost, stress and sickness.

Cancer Council Victoria Support Service Programs Director Karen Conte says patients “often have to work through some really important financial issues” to protect their families financially.