Roadmap for the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy for 2026-2031 in Finland

On September 23, 2026, the National Cancer Strategy Roadmap was released in Finland. It describes the measures, responsibilities, schedules, and conditions for implementing the strategy in practice during the first five-year period (2026-2031). The objectives are to develop person-centered services, reduce the cancer burden through prevention and early detection, and ensure effective and equitable care.

Some measures are already underway as part of broader national initiatives, but many will require additional resources and legislative changes. Overall, implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is estimated to require approximately €140 million in additional investment. These investments are expected to generate significant savings and economic benefits through preventing cancer cases, earlier detection, and increased research, development, and innovation activity.

Some of the key actions include:

• Expansion of breast cancer screening to ages 46–74; 
• Continued piloting and assessment of lung and prostate cancer screening; 
• Development of risk-based screening using national health and registry data; 
• Stronger genetic testing and follow-up for hereditary cancer risk; 
• National recommendations and coordinated implementation of molecular diagnostics, including NGS and liquid biopsy; 
• Strengthened national Molecular Tumor Board cooperation; 
• Centralization of demanding molecular diagnostics in selected accredited public laboratories, with IVDR compliance where applicable; 
• Development of national cancer-data infrastructure using common standards and AI-supported data generation and harmonization; 
• Establishment of a national cancer care quality register, quality and effectiveness indicators, and systematic outcome monitoring.

A monitoring group will be established to coordinate, guide, and monitor implementation of the strategy. The roadmap will be updated during implementation to reflect changes in the operating environment, with a broader evaluation and a roadmap for the second five-year period to be prepared in 2030.

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