'Toothless' code fails to help cancer survivors who face discrimination by insurers

They called for patients to be consulted on planned legislation.

Ms Magan completed treatment for cervical cancer in 2019. She was renting her home in Leitrim, and the landlord had agreed to sell to her.

“After waiting until my remission period was over, five years, I understood I could finally apply for a mortgage and secure a home,” she said.

"Within the five years, the house increased in value by €100,000, the market value went up, so I had to swallow that.” 

However, she was shocked to realise the voluntary code only kicks in after seven years. She was refused mortgage protection insurance, which seemed to end her dream.

I have received only one quote with an excessive premium of nearly €600 per month on top of my mortgage. I have tried every other insurer, but was denied a quote 

It was only with assistance from EBS Sligo in the last few weeks that Ms Magan crossed this hurdle. 

She praised manager Tara Rodgers, saying they “were able to think outside the box” and come up with a solution.

“I am only insured because of EBS. The insurance providers wouldn’t bend or accommodate me in any way,” she said.

Ms Magan pointed out that oncologists see five years of being cancer-free as a significant marker.

Jacqueline Daly, at EGM Cancer Support in Galway, said Laura’s experience is not unusual.

“The experience of our patients is that the code can be done on a case-by-case basis, and that is not what we want,” she said.

Last month, Cabinet agreed to bring forward a bill to limit discrimination against cancer survivors applying for mortgage protection.

However, Ms Daly said: “We are the ones living with the long-term consequences, yet we have never been asked for our input. That’s not just wrong, it’s unjust.” 

She wants to see patients consulted about this bill, saying: “The cancer community believes legislation, not a toothless code, is the only acceptable path forward.

“We will no longer accept being left out of the room or left behind.” 

'Risk of being discriminated'

Ms Daly warned that one in two people are expected to have cancer, and they “are at risk of being discriminated against by financial institutions simply for having survived".

The 13 centres also include ARC Cork, Circle of Friends Tipperary, Iris House Cork Cancer Support, and Sligo Cancer Support, as well as Purple House in Bray and Childhood Cancer Ireland.

In July, the Department of Finance stated that Insurance Ireland’s voluntary code had been reviewed by Forvis Mazars.

“The results of the review indicated that the voluntary code is working,” it said.

It has been in place since 2023, and relates to mortgage protection insurance up to €500,000. Insurers can disregard a diagnosis seven years after treatment ends or five years for childhood cancer survivors.