The Irish Cancer Society has welcomed a major legislative win for cancer survivors who will now be able to access mortgage protection insurance 5 years after they have completed active cancer treatment.
The Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas on Wednesday, July 8th and will now go forward to be signed into law by President Catherine Connolly.
Launched in 2021 by the Irish Cancer Society, in collaboration with cancer survivors and leading academics, the Right to be Forgotten campaign highlighted the financial discrimination and barriers faced by cancer survivors in accessing financial services and products. Survivors faced outright denial of access to services, additional administrative burdens and hiked premiums
The Irish Cancer Society has long advocated for the waiting period to access certain financial products to be reduced from seven years to maximum five years, in line with medically recognised remission.
‘OVERWHELMING’
Lydia Whelan, breast cancer survivor from Co. Kildare, said that it was ‘an incredible privilege to be part of this campaign’.
“To see the ‘Right to be Forgotten’ become law and to know the lasting impact it’s going to have for cancer patients and survivors, it’s just overwhelming,” she said. “I found myself diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after I went sale agreed on a house with my partner. The thoughts of losing the house was more devastating than my cancer diagnosis. With the support of family and friends, we were able to complete the purchase, but my own name isn’t on my house because I can’t get mortgage protection insurance. Thankfully, I’m doing well, my treatment went well. And now, thanks to this campaign and thanks to the passing of this legislation, my name will be able to go on my home five years after my active treatment.
“I can’t thank the Irish Cancer Society enough for their perseverance and work on this campaign over many years. And I’m so grateful we have politicians in Government and across the Oireachtas who are willing to listen and take action.”
