Right to be Forgotten

Part of the ECHoS Project “Cancer Mission Impact: A Practitioners’ Series. Learn. Test. Come-back,” this webinar focuses on the Right to Be Forgotten in the context of the EU Mission on Cancer and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The session features Marius Geanta, Mark Lawler, Francoise Meunier, and Christine Chomienne, who discuss the legal, social, and policy dimensions of financial discrimination against cancer survivors.

Mark Lawler outlines the issue’s scope, emphasizing that 20 million Europeans live beyond cancer yet often face financial barriers such as difficulty obtaining mortgages, insurance, or loans. He stresses, “Cancer patients should not have to pay twice” and calls for enshrining the Right to Be Forgotten into national laws.

Francoise Meunier provides an overview of progress across EU countries, noting that France pioneered this legal framework in 2016, with Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Romania, and Spain following suit. She highlights ongoing efforts in Poland and Slovenia, as well as discussions beyond Europe in Chile and Costa Rica. She warns against outdated risk assessments by insurance companies and the potential misuse of AI in financial risk evaluations.

Christine Chomienne presents the Cancer Mission Board’s recommendations, stressing that the Right to Be Forgotten aligns with broader EU priorities on health equity and quality of life for survivors. She underscores the role of National Cancer Mission Hubs (NCMHs) in bridging gaps between research, policy, and patient advocacy.

The panel agrees that evidence-based policymaking is essential to counter insurer resistance, and that patient testimonies and advocacy play a key role in influencing national governments. The session concludes with a discussion on how NCMHs can drive engagement with diverse stakeholders, ensuring that the Right to Be Forgotten becomes a standard legal protection across Europe.

Watch to learn how policymakers, researchers, and patient advocates can collaborate to end financial discrimination against cancer survivors!