Cancer survivors shouldn't have to pay twice — first with their health, and then through financial discrimination.
Through the Global Cancer Ecosystem (GCE), one of our core Thematic Ecosystems, Global Health Connector works to reduce cancer inequalities by connecting stakeholders across regions, disciplines, and sectors. As a premier global communication and collaboration platform, GCE drives progress by offering unparalleled opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the implementation of real-world solutions.
In this article, Professor Mark Lawler, a Steering Group member of the Global Cancer Ecosystem and Professor of Digital Health in Queen’s University Belfast, reflects on a landmark moment for cancer survivors in Ireland. Following the introduction of the Right to Be Forgotten into Irish law last week, Mark shares the journey behind this achievement, the evidence that helped shape the legislation, and why ending financial discrimination against cancer survivors must become a priority across Europe and beyond.
Wednesday 8th July 2026 has been one of the proudest days of my professional life. Following approval in both houses of the Irish parliament — the Dáil and the Seanad — Minister of State Robert Troy TD announced a significant change in the law, whereby cancer survivors in Ireland will be legally protected from financial discrimination.
The Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 has entered into law. More commonly known in Europe as the Right to Be Forgotten, it means that cancer survivors who are five years post-successful treatment do not have to disclose a previous cancer diagnosis. Financial institutions are legally precluded from requiring that disclosure, and cancer survivors cannot be discriminated against financially because of a previous diagnosis.
This achievement did not happen overnight.
For the last five years, I have worked tirelessly, both in Ireland and across Europe, with key partners to develop the evidence demonstrating the unacceptable discrimination cancer survivors face.
Cancer survivors who have been successfully treated should be able to access financial services, including loans and mortgages, without having to disclose a previous cancer diagnosis or face unaffordable premiums or outright refusal.
Working with the European Initiative to End Discrimination against Cancer Survivors, under the leadership of Françoise Meunier, who more than anyone has driven the Right to Be Forgotten across Europe, I have been privileged to present our evidence in the European Parliament, to key European committees, and at influential conferences including The Economist World Series on Cancer.
In Ireland, working closely with the Irish Cancer Society, whose leadership and perseverance have been outstanding, we presented our cancer intelligence to the Cross-Party Group on Cancer in Leinster House on two occasions. In Northern Ireland, working with Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, we presented our data and delivered a call to action to the All-Party Group on Cancer at Stormont (The Northern Ireland parliament).
The Right to Be Forgotten is not about compassion — it is about generating quality evidence and acting on it.
For the last four years, I have been privileged to chair the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, a global body that sets standards for cancer outcomes worldwide. We define living beyond five years after successful treatment as the benchmark for cure. So who should you believe — a cancer professional with nearly 40 years’ experience leading a globally renowned cancer intelligence partnership, or an insurance company seeking to extract significantly higher premiums from cancer survivors?
As the campaign progressed, it was suggested that Ireland should require cancer survivors to wait seven years after successful treatment before qualifying for the Right to Be Forgotten. During a critical meeting between the Irish Cancer Society and Minister Troy, I presented our authoritative global data and argued that five years must be the standard. Thankfully, the Minister and the Government listened. The five-year limit has now been adopted, representing a significant victory for cancer survivors in Ireland. Ireland is only the second country in Europe (after Spain) to go straight to a 5 year eligibility.
Cancer survivors have fought hard enough to overcome their disease — they shouldn’t have to fight financial discrimination as well.
The adoption of Right to Be Forgotten legislation is an important example of Irish leadership in Europe, and its timing could not have been better, with Ireland having just assumed the Presidency of the Council of Europe/European Union for the next 6 months. So, one week in, Ireland is already driving the European agenda and showcasing its European leadership.
One aspect we have consistently emphasised is what happens to children. In Northern Ireland, we are seeing young adults who successfully overcame childhood cancers being denied mortgages in their 30s despite being cured. We are pushing for the qualifying period for childhood cancer survivors to be as short as possible — potentially just one year.
France became the first country to introduce the Right to Be Forgotten in 2016, and its decade of experience has informed much of our thinking.
So where are we in 2026?
Imagine three women. Marie, a five-year breast cancer survivor from Bordeaux, has lived for over eight years in the little gîte she was able to buy because France introduced the Right to Be Forgotten. Mary, a five-year breast cancer survivor from Ballina, is now preparing her mortgage protection application under Ireland’s new legislation, allowing her to buy the cottage she has always wanted. But for Moira from Ballymena, also a five-year breast cancer survivor, that studio apartment remains out of reach because of financial discrimination.
These women are fictitious, but their experiences reflect the reality faced by many cancer survivors. It is not acceptable that where you live determines your access to financial products such as mortgages and insurance. People who are living beyond cancer should not continue to be penalised for a previous diagnosis.
Ireland has demonstrated what is possible when robust evidence, determined advocacy and political leadership come together.
Our success in Ireland makes us even more determined to end this discrimination against the 110,000 cancer survivors in Northern Ireland as the first step towards embedding the Right to Be Forgotten across the UK.
Cancer knows no borders; neither should we.
Throughout the GCE, we want to use the Irish experience to facilitate an international dialogue, share evidence and best practices, and support other countries in advancing similar legislation. This is exactly the type of CollaborAction (‘collaboration’ plus ‘action’, as we call it) the ecosystem was established to promote: connecting people, translating evidence into practice, and working together to reduce cancer inequalities worldwide.
We believe that other governments around the world should pass similar legislation for their citizens, and we intend to mount an international campaign to make this happen.
We need your help to be successful — visit our Global Cancer Ecosystem page to see how you can get involved and support this global campaign.