Cancer Survivors Face Financial Discrimination in Europe

A recent study from Queen's University Belfast highlights that up to 25% of cancer survivors in Europe face discrimination when seeking financial services like loans, mortgages, and insurance, despite being declared cancer-free. This 'financial toxicity' affects approximately 20 million survivors, with over half a million in the UK who must disclose past cancer diagnoses, leading to higher premiums or outright denial of services. Professor Mark Lawler, who led the research published in The Lancet Oncology, argues for legislation similar to France's 'Right to Be Forgotten,' which allows patients without a recurrence for five years to avoid declaring their previous diagnosis. While several European nations have adopted similar measures, the UK has yet to follow suit. The study underscores the urgent need for protective laws to alleviate the financial burdens faced by cancer survivors, particularly in light of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Advocacy groups, including the European Initiative to End Discrimination against Cancer Survivors, are calling for reforms to ensure fair access to financial services for all cancer survivors.