Cancer Society – Annual Report 2018

The purpose of the Cancer Society of Finland is to beat cancer. The Cancer Society works to reduce the risks and harm in society that cancer causes. Social advocacy is an important tool for implementing the CSF strategy and advancing the set objectives. Our advocacy work is both national and regional.

The Cancer Society of Finland is one of the country’s largest public health and patient organisations. The CSF has 18 member organisations, twelve of which are regional cancer associations, and six are national patient organisations. The total number of members at the end of 2018 was 117 953 (119 607 in 2017).

The Cancer Society of Finland maintains a national advice service where healthcare professionals provide cancer advice. Anyone can contact the service to receive advice by calling, by emailing or via an online chat. The service also employs healthcare professionals specialised in oncology who provide genetic counselling. The service is free of charge.

The Cancer Society’s health promotion is a value-based, goal-oriented activity to promote public health and wellbeing and prevent cancer. We strive to influence social policy, general attitudes, social and healthcare practices, and individual choices. The key target groups are children, young people and adults.

In 2018, the Cancer Society offered extensive training to a wide range of professional groups and volunteers.

In 2018, the Cancer Society of Finland worked actively with the Nordic Cancer Union, the Association of European Cancer Leagues, and the Union for International Cancer Control.

The Finnish Cancer Registry is a statistical and epidemiological research institute maintained by the Cancer Society of Finland. The CSF also maintains the national cancer registry of the National Institute for Health and Welfare, which includes mass screening registries for breast cancer and cervical cancer.

In 2018, the Communications Unit promoted the implementation of the Cancer Society’s mission and key projects. The goal of CSF communications is that the information and services provided by the organisation can be found and used as easily as possible by patients, loved ones and all others with an interest in cancer.

The Cancer Society’s economic situation was stable during the year in review. Operating income and expenses remained primarily well budgeted, and liquidity remained at a reasonably good level.

The organisational reform that was started in 2017 continued in 2018. The reform process was analysed and additional reforms were made. The Cancer Society and its employees are jointly responsible for following the principles of data security.

At the end of 2018, the Cancer Society had 104 employees (97 at year-end 2017).

Ever since its laboratory activities were discontinued, the Cancer Society of Finland has accumulated large quantities of biological samples. The sample collections are the result of work carried out in laboratories in Helsinki, Kotka, Oulu and Tampere.