Call for next government to end to 'grotesque' financial discrimination against cancer survivors
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Campaigners and politicians have demanded the next government end "distasteful" and "grotesque" financial discrimination of cancer survivors.
There are now more than 200,000 cancer survivors in Ireland, however, many are unable to secure mortgages, loans and other financial products despite being in remission for lengthy periods.
Irish MEP Billy Kelleher has written to EU commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque calling for the introduction of 'right to be forgotten' measures across Europe, but wants a new government here to act sooner at a national level.
"It is crucial in my view, out of fairness, out of equity out of basic decency that we bring forward the right to be forgotten. After a certain number of years of being in remission, your previous cancer diagnosis should not be on your file when making applications for financial services," the Fianna Fáil MEP said, adding the measure had already been introduced successfully in other countries, including France.
Even if they are cancer-free for many years, survivors in several European countries, including Ireland, must disclose their previous diagnoses to financial institutions, significantly affecting their ability to secure essential financial products.
Research carried out by the Irish Cancer Society found that three in five people affected by cancer found it difficult to access the likes of life insurance, mortgage and income protection insurance. Refusal and unfair treatment were the most commonly reported difficulties.
A separate study found millions of cancer survivors across Europe were facing widespread "financial toxicity", with research published in , and led by Professor Mark Lawler of Queen’s University, revealing as many as 25% of cancer survivors in Europe struggle to access appropriate financial services.
Mr Kelleher said: "After a short number of years, if you are in remission, then you should be able to apply for financial services, mortgages, other forms of loans, insurance, and that your previous medical history on this issue could not be used against you.
In a letter to Ms Albuquerque, who is responsible for financial services and the savings and investments portfolio, Mr Kelleher said progress had been made by her predecessor Mairead McGuinness in commencing talks amongst the financial industry, medical experts, and patient organisations to discuss the way forward in adopting a EU-wide voluntary code of conduct.
"Unfortunately, the negotiations stagnated and the political will weaned as the elections approached," he said in urging the commissioner to "reignite the work on establishing an EU-wide right to be forgotten for cancer survivors to bring parity to survivors across all member states".
Irish Cancer Society director of advocacy and communications Steve Dempsey said the organisation had been campaigning on the issue for many years and was now urging the next government to enact legislation as soon as possible.
"We believe that no cancer survivor should be financially punished through hefty premiums or the inability to access things like mortgage protection," he said.
Mr Dempsey added that a voluntary code of conduct introduced last year has been hugely welcome. Insurance Ireland members can sign up to the code, which took effect last December.
However, Mr Dempsey said even when companies sign up it only applies to mortgage protection and not other insurance products and generally only to those who finished treatment seven years ago.
"As a result, we’re urging the next Government to legislate on the right to be forgotten for cancer patients, so they do not have to disclose their cancer diagnosis. The legislation should include timeframes post-recovery after which a person no longer has to declare their cancer diagnosis."