Screening
Under Finland's national screening programme, municipal health centres must arrange screening for the early detection of
- breast cancer
- cervical cancer
- colorectal cancer
- foetal chromosome and growth defects during pregnancy
Municipalities may carry out screening examinations themselves or purchase them from private service providers or non-profit corporations. Municipalities may also arrange other screening examinations for diagnostic purposes and early disease detection than those set out in the national screening programme.
Municipalities must provide their residents with sufficient information about the contents and effects of screening examinations.
Municipal residents are entitled to screening
Municipal residents are entitled to receive screening services. Participation is voluntary and free of charge.
The following groups are invited to screening:
Breast cancer screening
- women aged between 50 and 69
- every 20–26 months
Cervical cancer screening
- women aged between 30 and 65
- every five years
Colorectal cancer screening
- in 2022, men and women aged 60, 62, 66, 66 and 68
- screening will be expanded by age group, and all 56–74-year-olds will be covered in 2031
- every two years
Screening offered to pregnant women
- at different stages of pregnancy
- early pregnancy general ultrasound examination, early pregnancy combined screening, second trimester blood screening test, and structural ultrasound examination
More information
The Mass Screening Registry, a department of the Finnish Cancer Registry, is responsible for planning and evaluating the Finnish cancer screening programmes.
If you have any questions concerning your screening schedule or invitations to screening examinations, please contact the health services of your municipality of residence.
Contact your municipality of residence also if you are not satisfied with the service or treatment you have received.