EU Updates Cancer Strategy: ‘Right to Forget’, Prevention & Risk Factors
- The European Union is strengthening its commitment to supporting cancer survivors, with a renewed focus on preventing financial discrimination and formally recognizing a “right to be forgotten” regarding...
- Currently, twelve EU member states lack specific legal protections for cancer survivors facing discrimination based on their past diagnosis.
- The proposed RTBF would operate on a timeline, with advocates suggesting a five-year post-treatment period.
The European Union is strengthening its commitment to supporting cancer survivors, with a renewed focus on preventing financial discrimination and formally recognizing a “right to be forgotten” regarding their medical history. This initiative, part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, aims to address the challenges faced by individuals who, despite achieving remission, encounter barriers when seeking financial services like loans and mortgages.
Addressing Financial Discrimination
Currently, twelve EU member states lack specific legal protections for cancer survivors facing discrimination based on their past diagnosis. In other words that even after a period of complete remission, individuals may be denied financial products or offered less favorable terms due to concerns about future health risks. The Patient Advisory Committee of the European Cancer Organisation has publicly appealed to the new European Commission to re-initiate action on establishing a harmonized “Right to be Forgotten” (RTBF) approach across the EU. This appeal, made on , emphasizes the urgency of the situation.
The proposed RTBF would operate on a timeline, with advocates suggesting a five-year post-treatment period. After this period, a cancer diagnosis would no longer be considered relevant when assessing applications for financial services. This aligns with existing practices in countries like France, Spain, and Belgium, which have already implemented similar protections. The initiative seeks to ensure that clinical recovery is matched by equal access to financial opportunities.
The “Right to be Forgotten” – A Growing Movement
The concept of a “cancer survivors’ right to be forgotten,” also referred to as the “oncological right to be forgotten,” is gaining traction across Europe. France was the first EU country to enact an oncology oblivion law, doing so in . Italy has also recently passed legislation to establish this right. The movement is driven by the increasing number of cancer survivors – currently over 12 million in Europe – and the expectation that this number will continue to grow due to advancements in cancer screening and treatment.
The core principle behind the RTBF is that former cancer patients often face unfair discrimination. Commercial companies frequently request information about past medical conditions, including cancer diagnoses, when providing services like life or funeral insurance. These companies often employ a precautionary approach, denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on perceived risks, even when a survivor’s life expectancy is comparable to that of their peers. This approach doesn’t adequately reflect the progress made in cancer treatment.
EU Action and Policy Updates
The European Commission is actively working to address this issue. The Commission celebrated the 5th anniversary of the European Cancer Plan with reinforced actions and a declaration on the “right to be forgotten.” Discussions are underway regarding the integration of the RTBF into European legislation, with potential opportunities within the forthcoming revision of the Mortgage Credit Directive. Roundtable negotiations on a Code of Conduct for Fair Access of Cancer Survivors to Financial Services have also been initiated, led by DG SANTE and DG FISMA.
Beyond the RTBF, the EU is updating its broader cancer prevention code, emphasizing factors like vaccination, early detection, breastfeeding, alcohol consumption, ultra-processed foods, and air pollution. This comprehensive approach recognizes that a significant portion of cancer risk is linked to environmental and lifestyle factors.
The Importance of Accurate Risk Assessment
Experts emphasize the need for financial companies to update their risk assessment models to reflect advancements in cancer treatment and the improved prospects for survivors. The current practice of applying a “one-size-fits-all” approach to risk assessment often fails to accurately reflect the individual circumstances of recovered patients. Equipping cancer survivors with an effective right to be forgotten is seen as essential for enabling them to fully reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives after recovery.
While the specifics of implementation are still being debated, the momentum behind the RTBF is clear. The goal is to create a more equitable system where cancer survivors are judged on their current health status and financial stability, rather than on a past diagnosis. This initiative represents a significant step towards ensuring that individuals who have overcome cancer are not penalized for their medical history.
The European Cancer Organisation continues to advocate for the swift implementation of a harmonized RTBF across the EU, recognizing that access to financial services is a crucial component of overall well-being for cancer survivors. As of , the EU is expected to institute the right to be forgotten regarding oncological history and its use in insurance policies on .