Oncological oblivion also becomes law in Italy and, explains Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, " erases those humiliating and unjust discriminations that weighed on people recovered from oncological pathologies".
For those who have recovered from cancer , adopting a child, asking for a bank loan or taking part in a competition will be easier . The law establishes the right to be forgotten for those who have been affected by oncological pathologies with the aim of preventing discrimination and protecting rights.
The definitive and unanimous green light for the bill came today from the Senate, after the approval already received from the Chamber, with 139 votes in favour .
«A law of civility, I thank the parliamentarians of all the political forces who have contributed to giving back to people who have left behind cancer the possibility of living a full life without barriers and discrimination», comments the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci .
Oncologists and associations applaud. There are one million Italians affected by oncological oblivion , compared to 3.6 million who live with a cancer diagnosis. «Citizens cured of cancer in Italy will no longer be discriminated against in their social, professional and family life - states Francesco Perrone, president of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (Aiom) -. In fact, specific rules are envisaged that protect former patients from possible discrimination in the insurance and financial fields, as well as in the workplace. The law provides for the prohibition on requesting information on a previous oncological pathology after 10 years from the end of the treatments in the absence of recurrence of the disease in this period. For patients whose diagnosis occurred before the age of 21, this limit is reduced to 5 years. The law not only protects in relationships with banks and insurance companies but also in insolvency proceedings, if physical suitability is required and in the context of adoption proceedings ." Therefore, Perrone continues, "a more advanced law compared to what has been established in other states that have already adopted rules on this issue". It is also envisaged that, with procedures to be defined through a technical table of the Ministry of Health, tables will be established that allow these times to be further reduced based on the different oncological pathology .
A goal that Italy reaches after France, Portugal, Spain and also other countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. In February 2022, the European Commission, as part of the European Oncology Plan, hoped that all member states would adopt a law on the Right to Be Forgotten oncology by 2025.
(Unioneonline/L)