Initiatives around the world

The Right to Be Forgotten for cancer survivors is gaining traction beyond Europe, with significant developments in Latin America and Africa, and lower-resource settings, where the consequences of cancer-related discrimination can be especially severe. A recent UICC article highlights this reality through the experiences of advocates in Kenya and Malaysia, showing that in lower-resource settings the Right to Be Forgotten is not just a legal principle, but an urgent survivorship issue linked to dignity, financial security and access to care.

In Kenya, the Cancer Prevention and Control Act (2012) aims to prohibit requiring cancer screening or disclosure of a cancer diagnosis as a condition for accessing credit, loans, or insurance. Sections 26 and 27 of the Act are intended to prevent discrimination in insurance or credit and to ensure that individuals are not denied financial services.
In Chile, in February 2024, the government has taken a significant step by enacting the Law No.21.656, which amended the National Cancer Law. This legislation establishes the “Right to Oncological Oblivion”(Derecho al olvido oncológico), prohibiting any form of discrimination against individuals who have undergone cancer treatment. Specifically, this groundbreaking legislation prohibits discrimination against individuals who have experienced cancer, provided five years have passed since the completion of active treatment without relapse. The law explicitly invalidates clauses that impose discriminatory terms , exclusions, or restrictions based on oncological history in contracts or agreements. Violations of this law can result in sanctions, the nullification of abusive clauses, and the enforcement of consumer protection measures. The law entered into force on 13 February 2024.
In Monaco, the Law n° 1.561, enacted on 2 July 2024, introduced the right to be forgotten, applicable once treatment has been completed for a period of five years without relapse. Additional measures are introduced to improve credit access for individuals with aggravated health risks. The law additionally outlines provisions to ensure equitable treatment in borrower insurance, restricts the use of medical history in credit evaluations, and prevents discrimination against those with previous or chronic health conditions. The law also establishes a Commission to manage the implementation and mediation of these measures.
In Costa Rica, advocacy efforts are underway to introduce a Right to Be Forgotten. Survivors, organisations such as Fundacancer and Deputy Danny Vargas Serrano of the National Liberation Party (PLN) presented Bill No. 24541 on the Right to Be Forgotten in the Legislative Assembly on 4 September 2024. The original bill proposed a period of 3 years for those diagnosed before the age of 18 and 5 years for those diagnosed after that age. Following a favourable committee report and a legal report by the Assembly’s technical services, the bill was approved in first debate in April 2026 with a single five-year period, before being returned to that stage in August 2026. Under amendments adopted on 28 September 2026, the bill focuses on access to credit, such as mortgages, and on the life insurance linked to a loan, and the five-year period is removed: the right would apply once the person is in complete remission, certified by the treating oncologist. Survivors would no longer have to disclose their cancer history and insurers could not refuse cover or raise premiums solely because of it. A new cancer diagnosed during the life of a loan would not allow the agreed conditions to be changed.
In Andorra, the Law 28/2025, adopted unanimously on 11 December 2025, introduced the “right to health oblivion”, which expressly includes the right to be forgotten for cancer survivors. It applies to life insurance linked to credit operations and to adoption procedures, once 5 years have passed since the end of treatment without relapse. After this period, survivors are no longer required to declare their cancer history, and insurers may not request or take it into account, refuse cover, apply different procedures or impose more onerous conditions. Clauses to the contrary are null and void, and the rights cannot be waived. The law extends similar protection to people who have had hepatitis C and prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV who are clinically stable under treatment. Insurers must inform applicants of these rights and delete the relevant medical data once the period has elapsed, with sanctions imposed by the Andorran Financial Authority. The law will enter into force on 14 January 2027.
In Peru, Law No. 32357, published on 31 May 2025, introduced “oncological oblivion” (olvido oncologico) in the contracting of health services and health insurance. The law guarantees that a past cancer cannot be taken into account by providers or insurers, provided five years have passed since the end of treatment without recurrence. Any clauses, conditions, exclusions or restrictions that discriminate against a person who has overcome cancer are null and void. In January 2026, the Ministry of Health published a draft implementing regulation for public consultation, setting out the requirements and accreditation procedure for exercising this right.
In Colombia, Law 2475 of 2025, enacted on 9 July 2025, establishes and guarantees the “Right to Oncological Oblivion” (Derecho al olvido oncologico) to ensure the inclusion and non-discrimination of cancer survivors. The law amends Article 1058 of the Commercial Code, exempting survivors from the duty to declare a past cancer when taking out insurance, provided 4 years have passed since the end of treatment without relapse, reduced to 2 years for those diagnosed as minors. Insurers may not refuse cover, apply different contracting procedures, impose more onerous conditions, require diagnostic tests or include exclusion clauses on the basis of a past cancer, and applicants for credit or insurance must be informed of this right. Violations are sanctioned by the Financial Superintendence of Colombia. The law also prohibits educational institutions from imposing barriers on students with a history of cancer and mandates public policies to support survivors’ return to work. The law entered into force on 9 July 2026.

These developments underscore the growing global momentum to ensure that cancer survivors can rebuild their lives free from financial discrimination, setting a powerful precedent for other regions across the world to follow.