Cancer survivors seeking mortgages and insurance are being ‘discriminated against’ years after they recover, a study reveals.
Many of the 20 million survivors across Europe struggle to access financial services, not least travel insurance.
This total includes ‘a conservative estimate’ of more than half a million in the UK, where customers must declare previous diagnosis despite having been declared ‘cancer free’.
It means they are cruelly denied services or forced to pay significantly higher premiums – often making holidays prohibitively expensive.
Study leader Professor Mark Lawler, from Queen’s University Belfast, said: ‘Our evidence of financial toxicity for cancer survivors is undeniable.
Cancer survivors seeking mortgages and insurance are being ‘discriminated against’ years after they recover, a study reveals (file image)
‘It is disgraceful that significant numbers continue to be discriminated against financially.’
While the current cost-of-living crisis is hard for everyone, it is so much worse for cancer survivors.
‘We need to protect our patients who are living beyond their cancer as a matter of urgency.’
Professor Lawler, in the medical journal The Lancet Oncology, called for legislation that will let successfully treated cancer patients not declare their previous diagnosis so their disease is essentially ‘forgotten’.
In January 2016, France became the first country to introduce the ‘Right To Be Forgotten’, which specifies that cancer survivors after five years without recurrence do not have to share medical information with a financial institution.
Seven other European countries have taken similar measures – but not the UK.
Earlier this month, cancer charity Maggie’s wrote to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds highlighting the difficulties patients face.
A new study has found that cancer survivors are being ‘discriminated against financially’ (file image)
It revealed how one cancer patient travelling to France was quoted up to £3,000 for travel insurance while another couple were expected to pay £1,200 for a trip to Spain.
Dame Laura Lee, Maggie’s chief executive, wrote: ‘Understandably travelling with a cancer diagnosis does involve higher risk and therefore customers can expect to pay more to reflect this, however, we have found a huge variation in quotes, revealing that not all companies are providing a fair service to customers with cancer.
‘Too often this means people with cancer, and their families, give up on the dream of a holiday when they often need one the most.
‘And with more people living with cancer than ever before, including a growing number of young people, this is impacting on an increasing number of individuals and families.’
Reacting to the Lancet study, Dame Laura added: ‘People living with cancer are routinely discriminated against over holiday insurance, sometimes quoted thousands of pounds and often sacrificing a much needed break as a result.
‘We have written to the Minister asking him to work with Maggie’s to tackle this discrimination and “Right to Be Forgotten” is something we are calling on the government to look at as part of the solution.’
A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers said: ‘We’re in discussions with Maggie’s and other charities about their concerns.
‘Travel insurance is primarily to cover what can be incredibly expensive emergency medical treatment while abroad, so it’s vital to disclose any pre-existing condition to ensure you have the right protection.’
A Treasury spokesperson said: ‘We recognise that access to appropriate financial products that offer fair value is key to supporting people’s financial resilience and wellbeing.
‘We will work closely with the regulators and stakeholders from the public, private, and third sectors to this end.’
