Millions Now Survive Cancer But Face Discrimination When Trying to Access Loans and Insurance
Cancer is no longer a death sentence. With over 20 million people living beyond their disease in Europe, the focus has shifted to helping survivors return to normal life. However, a significant barrier they face is financial discrimination.
Research conducted by Dr. Françoise Meunier, former director-general of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, sheds light on the unjust treatment of cancer survivors seeking financial products and services. Despite being cured, survivors often encounter obstacles when accessing loans, mortgages, and insurance due to their health history.
The financial burdens of cancer are already substantial, and facing discrimination in financial services only adds to the challenges survivors face. A survey by the Irish Cancer Society revealed that survivors were three times more likely to encounter difficulties in obtaining insurance products compared to the general population.
In response to this issue, several European countries have taken legal steps to address financial discrimination against cancer survivors. France, for example, enacted the “right to be forgotten,” ensuring that long-term survivors are not discriminated against based on their diagnosis when seeking financial services.
While progress has been made in some countries, there is a need for Europe-wide action to protect cancer survivors from financial discrimination. The European Parliament has called on member states to introduce laws to ensure equal access to financial services for survivors, but implementation has been slow.
A Europe-wide legal framework, such as the Consumer Credit Directive, aims to prevent discrimination based on health data after a certain period following treatment. However, more comprehensive regulations are needed to fully address the issue and protect survivors from unjust treatment.
It is essential for European politicians to prioritize the rights of cancer survivors and implement evidence-based policies to combat financial discrimination. Protecting survivors from discrimination is not just about compassion; it is about respecting the evidence that shows they are cured and deserve equal access to financial services.
In conclusion, cancer survivors should not have to face financial discrimination on top of the challenges they have already overcome. It is time for Europe to take decisive action to ensure that all survivors are treated fairly and have access to the financial products and services they need to rebuild their lives.