Sir, – Further to Martin Sweeney’s letter “Life after cancer diagnosis” (March 13th), although there are exceptions, people who are free from cancer for more than five to seven years after treatment are unlikely to develop recurrence. Approximately 12 million EU citizens have reached long-term recovery and the number is rising by around 3 per cent each year. And yet many of those who have recovered face discrimination in accessing financial services.
Financial penalties should not be an additional burden; they unjustly interfere with rehabilitation and are often associated with unnecessary psychological harm.
In 2016, legislation was introduced in France to establish the “right to be forgotten” for former cancer patients when seeking a mortgage, financial loan or insurance. In subsequent years, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Cyprus and, most recently, Italy have also passed this right into law.
The insurance industry in five EU countries, including Ireland, introduced a voluntary code of practice to end such discrimination. Concerns exist that acceptance of this non-binding code will lead to delay in the legislative process that should be applied in all member states in the EU. The path toward legislation in Ireland requires renewed and urgent collaborative dialogue with the insurance industry.
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Outcomes for patients with cancer are improving constantly with progressively increased survival rates.
Waiting times for former patients before they can obtain access to normal financial services without weighting of premiums should be assessed in the light of contemporary evidence.
At a conference in Brussels last month attended by patients, commissioners, MEPs, state ministers, physicians, surgeons, scientists, researchers, lawyers, advocacy groups and representatives of the insurance industry and cancer organisations, a unanimous recommendation was reached for concerted action supporting EU-wide legislation for the right to be forgotten for people who have recovered from cancer.
This issue deserves the attention of all candidates in forthcoming national and European elections.
It’s not about compassion; it’s about justice. – Yours, etc,
NIALL O’HIGGINS,
(Professor Emeritus of Surgery,
University College Dublin),
Dublin 4.
