National Cancer Strategy 2026–2035
Cancer is a common disease in Finland. The number of cancer deaths in the country has fallen considerably over the past decades, and as many as two out of three people with cancer recover from the disease. However, one in three Finns will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime, with cancer being the second leading cause of death in the country.
The National Cancer Strategy 2026–2035 responds to the challenges posed by the growing cancer burden and the rapidly changing operating environment. The strategy outlines measures for developing cancer treatment and research over the next ten years. It also contributes to the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission in Finland. The strategy was commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and drawn up by the Finnish Cancer Center FICAN.
The strategy was prepared for use by healthcare and social welfare professionals, those leading and supervising the activities, political decision-makers and clients, patients and their families. The strategy can be used by both public and private operators in healthcare and social welfare.
Aiming for people-oriented services, cancer prevention and equal treatment
The National Cancer Strategy aims to develop human-centred services, reduce the cancer burden through prevention and early detection, and ensure effective and equal cancer treatment. Cancer diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation services must be available equally and without delay throughout the country. Investing in research and in the development of new methods provides tools for this.
The strategy was drawn up by a broad-based working group whose members included more than 200 healthcare professionals, researchers, NGO representatives and citizens. The strategy steering group consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the Cancer Society of Finland and the Finnish Cancer Center FICAN.
Roadmap for implementing the strategy
The next phase of the strategy work will involve drawing up a roadmap for implementing the National Cancer Strategy. The roadmap is set to be completed in 2026. It will describe in more detail the measures proposed in the strategy, the detailed timetables for them, the parties in charge and the necessary resources.
The purpose of the roadmap is to ensure that the objectives of the strategy can be implemented in practice and that the duties and roles of different administrative branches, wellbeing services counties, national authorities and organisations are clearly defined.
- National Cancer Strategy 2026–2035: Together Against Cancer – Human-Centred Cancer Prevention and Care
- FICAN’s webpages on the National Cancer Strategy
- Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
- EU Cancer Mission
