ENDING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CANCER SURVIVORS THROUGH THE RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN
The growing number of cancer survivors in the EU is a tribute to the success of advances in diagnosis and treatment. The latest scientific research and data account for over 20 million cancer survivors in Europe and, for many, it then becomes necessary to overcome the psychological impact of their treatments, workplace marginalization and access to financial services such as mortgages and loans.
Thanks to medicine’s tremendous progress, cancer is no longer a death sentence. It is the duty of European and national policymakers to ensure that cancer survivors never again have to pay twice for their disease.
The Right to Be Forgotten has been named as one of the European Commission’s priorities in the Beating Cancer Plan and is operating under the supervision of Dr. Françoise Meunier, a member of The Royal Academies of Medicine of Belgium, the ECPC’s Scientific Committee and the Chair of the Cancer Survivorship Committee of the European Academy of Cancer Sciences (EACS).
OBJECTIVES
LEGISLATION
A EU legislation tackling the discrimination of cancer survivors in access to financial
services across Europe.
PROMOTION
Promote RTBF as one of the most priority items of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and Mission on Cancer.
COOPERATION
Accelerate cooperation/dialogue between patients and policymakers.
AWARENESS
Raise awareness of the issues.
RECOMMENDATIONS
A set of recommendations to be considered when relevant legislation is being revised.
Patient Stories
Humanity
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Funding
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Kindness
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Humanity
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SURVIVORS' STORIES
© Serge Marteaux, Bruxelles Photo, 2022
EU INITIATIVES
State of play on the implementation of the right to be forgotten at the national level
Françoise Meunier, MD, PhD, FRCP (UK)
Member of the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine (ARMB)
Member of the European Academy of Cancer Sciences (EACS) Science Policy Committee
Member of the Survivorship and quality of life network of the European Cancer Organisation (ECO)
Member of the Scientific Committee of the European Cancer Patients Coalition (ECPC)
Françoise Meunier dedicated her professional life to improving the survival and QoL of cancer patients.
Prof. Meunier served as Director-General of EORTC (1991-2015), where she remained active until 2018 as Director of Special Projects, being the driving force behind cancer survivorship activities.
Since 2014, she has been pursuing activities on the Right to be Forgotten for cancer survivors, advocating for the creation of a harmonised legal framework to tackle discrimination against cancer survivors.
Prof. Meunier is a member of the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine and holds the title of Baroness by His Majesty, The King Albert II of Belgium. More information about Prof. Meunier can be found here.
Awards:
- Award for lifetime contribution to oncology – Pezcoller Foundation, Italy (2009)
- Lifetime achievement award – European Society for Medical Oncology (2012)