‘Right to be forgotten’ for cancer survivors now one step closer

“This is great news for survivors of cancer and other chronic diseases” - that was the view of Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune following a vote in the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee last week to enshrine the ‘Right To Be Forgotten’ in EU law for the first time.

The ‘Right to be Forgotten’ means people don’t have to disclose previous cancer diagnoses to banks and insurance companies, provided a certain time has elapsed since the end of their treatment. 60% of respondents to a recent Irish Cancer Society survey said they had difficulties when applying for mortgages, loans and insurance.

“I am delighted that amendments which I tabled on the ‘Right to be Forgotten’ have been included and approved in the EU’s Consumer Credit Directive. I now want to see all the EU institutions and Member States, including Ireland press financial service providers to develop such practices, so as not to discriminate against cancer patients and survivors and to finally level the playing field,” MEP Clune stated.

“This marks the first time the ‘ Right to be Forgotten’ for cancer survivors will be enshrined into EU law but now is the time to go further and for the ‘Right to be Forgotten’ to be extended to include mortgages".

A recent report from the National Cancer Registry shows the number of Irish patients living after an invasive cancer diagnosis has exceeded the 200,000 mark for the first time. There are now over 20 million Europeans who have recovered from cancer, many of whom have already experienced considerable medical, psychological, and financial challenges in their survivorship journey.

“No one should have to pay twice for their diagnosis”, MEP Clune concluded.