Cancer survivors need protection from future discrimination, say German politicians
Campaigners say people who have had cancer face discrimination in areas including bank loans, adoption of children and insurance German politicians who have survived cancer have spearheaded proposals to protect people long in remission from what they call rampant discrimination in areas including bank loans, adoption of children and insurance. The policy known as “the right to be forgotten”…
German politicians who have battled cancer have pushed for legislation to safeguard long-term survivors from potential discrimination, particularly in areas like bank loans, adoption, and insurance. Known as "the right to be forgotten" (RTBF), this policy is championed by the Social Democrats (SPD), a coalition partner in Germany's government.
The proposal suggests that after a medically justified time limit, typically five years, survivors should no longer be required to disclose their cancer history. This stance is supported by Adis Ahmetović, a foreign policy spokesperson for the SPD, who himself overcame lymphoma. He argues that the policy would not cost the state any money and cites support from fellow survivor Manuela Schwesig, who is the state premier of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil, who battled tongue cancer, also backs the legislation, emphasizing that former cancer patients should be free to plan for the future socially and economically. A petition supporting RTBF reforms has garnered over 55,000 signatures and was initiated by Tobias Burggraf, whose young daughter was diagnosed with cancer.
However, the German Insurance Association (GDV) cautions against fixed time limits, stating that insurers need the ability to assess future risk based on scientific evidence to maintain affordable policies. Germany's cancer research center notes that while there is an increased risk of other cancers post-treatment, it is not significantly higher than the general population.
Despite this, patient advocacy groups argue that such presumptions are unfair, particularly to younger survivors with generally good prognoses. The European Society for Medical Oncology has advocated for a uniform standard across Europe, based on a minimum five-year remission period. Currently, only 11 EU member states have enacted specific laws to protect cancer survivors from financial discrimination, leaving many without such protections.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
