The lower house of parliament in Italy has unanimously passed a new law known as the "right to be forgotten (RTBF) bill," which grants cancer survivors the right to withhold their past medical condition from banks and insurance agencies. This groundbreaking legislation aims to protect survivors from discrimination and promote their financial and social inclusion.

Recovering cancer patients in Italy have long faced obstacles due to their medical history. They often encounter challenges when applying for loans or insurance, and may even be excluded from adoption procedures. The RTBF law seeks to address these issues and restore dignity and hope to those who have battled this devastating disease.

Members of all political parties came together to support this law, highlighting rare cross-party support and empathy within the political landscape. Marco Furfaro, a member of the opposition Democratic Party and one of the sponsors of the bill, referred to it as "a law that restores dignity and hope to many people."

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized that the one million cancer survivors in Italy should not be stigmatized or treated as second-class citizens for overcoming cancer. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had previously pledged support for the swift approval of the RTBF law.

Her right-wing government recognizes the importance of providing essential support to cancer survivors and ensuring their rights are protected as they reintegrate into society. Similar laws are already in place in France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal, according to the Italian Medical Oncology Association.

The success of these laws in other countries serves as a testament to the need for and effectiveness of such protections for cancer survivors. The unanimous support for this legislation demonstrates a rare instance of bipartisan unity in the pursuit of social justice and inclusion.

As the bill now awaits approval from the upper Senate house, it is expected to garner the necessary support to become law. Once enacted, it will provide much-needed relief and peace of mind for countless cancer survivors across Italy, allowing them to enjoy equal opportunities and a fresh start in their lives. This marks an important step towards ending discrimination against cancer survivors and granting them the legal right to protect their privacy.