Key facts
- German politicians are proposing a 'right to be forgotten' law for cancer survivors.
- The law aims to prevent discrimination in insurance, credit, and employment.
- It suggests disclosure of past cancer diagnoses should not be required after a medically justified time limit, typically five years.
- Supporters include SPD politicians Adis Ahmetović, Manuela Schwesig, and Lars Klingbeil.
- A petition for this reform has garnered over 55,000 signatures.
- The German Insurance Association opposes fixed time limits, citing potential future health risks.
German politicians, including prominent figures who have themselves survived cancer, are advocating for a 'right to be forgotten' law to protect individuals in remission from ongoing discrimination. The proposed legislation aims to prevent former cancer patients from being disadvantaged in areas such as securing bank loans, adopting children, and obtaining insurance policies.
The Social Democrats (SPD), a junior partner in Germany's coalition government, have put forward a proposal that would generally prevent the requirement to disclose a past cancer diagnosis once a medically justified time limit, typically five years, has passed. This policy is a central demand of an estimated 5.5 million cancer survivors in Germany.
Supporters of the measure, including SPD politician Adis Ahmetović, argue that it is ethically imperative and would not impose additional costs on the state. Manuela Schwesig, state premier of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and a breast cancer survivor, criticized Germany for lagging behind other European countries in providing a fresh start for former patients, emphasizing the need for a law rather than voluntary commitments.
Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of the SPD and Germany's Finance Minister, who overcame tongue cancer, also supports the legislation, stating that those who have beaten cancer should be able to look ahead freely. A petition initiated by Tobias Burggraf, advocating for similar reforms, has gathered over 55,000 signatures.
Patient advocacy groups cite survey data indicating that a significant majority of medically declared cancer survivors face discrimination when applying for private insurance. However, the German Insurance Association (GDV) has cautioned against fixed time limits, arguing that insurers need to assess future risks based on scientific evidence to maintain affordable policies for all, citing potential for relapses or long-term health issues.
Experts from the German Cancer Research Centre suggest that while some survivors may face increased risks, these are not always significantly higher than in the general population. They argue that using cancer as a blanket reason to deny financial services would be impractical given its prevalence. Patient advocacy groups also highlight that automatic presumptions are particularly unfair to younger survivors with good prognoses.
The European Society for Medical Oncology supports a minimum five-year remission period for fair access to financial services across Europe, noting that the current patchwork of laws leads to unjustified discrimination. Currently, only 11 EU member states have specific legal protections for cancer survivors, leaving many dependent on their location for access to financial services.