Researchers investigated financial barriers for cancer survivors in Europe. (Image: Getty)
Cancer survivors face discrimination when trying to access loans, mortgages and health or travel insurance, a study reveals.
Patients who have been successfully treated are often required to declare previous diagnoses when applying for financial services.
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast looked at barriers to accessing services for survivors across Europe.
Their work, published in The Lancet Oncology journal, estimated that one in four whose disease had been cured experienced discrimination despite being declared “cancer free”.
Professor Mark Lawler, an expert in digital health at Queen’s, said: “Our evidence of financial toxicity for cancer survivors is undeniable.
READ MORE: ‘I was quoted £700 for a week’s travel insurance due to cancer’
Campaigners are calling for a ‘right to be forgotten’ for cancer survivors. (Image: Getty)
“Our data suggests that at a conservative estimate over a half a million cancer survivors in the UK may be experiencing some form of financial discrimination.
“And it may be even more. It is disgraceful that significant numbers of cancer survivors continue to be discriminated against financially.”
Prof Lawler said cancer survivors were being hit particularly hard during the cost of living crisis. He added: “We need to bring in legislation to protect our patients who are living beyond their cancer as a matter of urgency.”
Prof Lawler is a member of the European Initiative to End Discrimination against Cancer Survivors, which campaigns for legislation that would mean patients who have been successfully treated do not have to declare their previous diagnoses.
France became the first country to introduce such a “right to be forgotten” for long-term cancer survivors in January 2016. They do not have to share their cancer history after a delay of five years without recurrence.
Mairaid McMahon, policy manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said cancer often brings devastating and unexpected financial struggles.
She added: “This research shows that far too many people continue to face unfair financial challenges long after their diagnosis. This is unacceptable.
“It’s vital that regulators and Government consider additional protections to ensure everyone has fair and equal access to financial services.”
Richard Spratt, chief executive of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, said: “A cancer diagnosis is one of the most devastating moments anyone can experience, and the cancer journey can be relentless, with extreme physical and mental consequences for months to years on-end.
“It is cruel to think that someone’s diagnosis will stay with them, not only in terms of any mental or physical trauma from the diagnosis and treatment, but also because of financial institutions’ ability to hold someone’s cancer history over their head, seemingly for the rest of their lives.”
Planets Cancer Charity – which supports with pancreatic, liver, colorectal, gastric, oesophageal and neuroendocrine cancers – has similarly campaigned to end rip-off travel insurance costs for patients whose disease is stable.
Jo Green, Planets’ director of operations and marketing, was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2011. Although her disease is incurable, it has been stable with no progression since her last surgery in 2018.
She said: “I am very well, teaching five fitness classes a week, doing CrossFit for fun and recently completed a 100 mile bike ride event with the charity – alongside my full time role with the charity.
“I would consider myself very low risk and the chances of anything occurring whilst away that relates to my cancer is close to zero. Despite this, I am routinely either declined insurance, or quoted exorbitant prices that do not seem to relate to my risk.”
Insurance companies often struggle to understand the risk of stable cancer without specialist knowledge, Jo said. Planets is working with insurance industry leaders to develop proposals for a better system.
Jo added: “Holidays are essential, not a luxury. If I get a stable scan result, my first thought is: ‘What shall I do this year?’ I live one year at a time.
“It is a coping mechanism, a way to feel like I am living my life and leaving my troubles behind, even if just for a week.”
• If you are a cancer survivor who has faced financial discrimination, you can share your story by writing to [email protected]