There are calls for the benefit system to be changed to make it easier for cancer patients.

The Cancer Society says 800 patients are on the Job Seekers Hardship benefit since the sickness benefit was replaced.

This means a lot of extra paper work, the need to provide up to date medical certificates and applying for exemptions for work.

Benefit Advocate Kay Brereton said the current system is fundamentally wrong.

"In that situation, the system should be able to go 'okay, just provide me with a medical certificate that's going to say how long you're going to be receiving treatment for, and we willjust give you an exemption for that period of time."

She said in that situation the system should just require one medical certificate saying the time period for treatment and then patients should be given an exemption.