Cancer Society of Finland 2025

The CSF was founded in 1936 as a nationwide umbrella organisation for the fight against cancer. Regional cancer societies have been affiliated with the CSF since the 1950s and patients’ organisations since the 1960s. At the end of 2024, the CSF had a total of 17 member associations: 12 regional cancer societies and five national patients’ organisations. Altogether, these comprise about 100,000 members.

Cancer Foundation Finland was established in 1948 to support the fight against cancer and cancer research. The CSF and the foundation began collaborating in 1950 through a joint fundraising campaign. The foundation works towards its goal by collecting and distributing funds for cancer research and by providing financial support to the CSF and its member associations. Fundraising by the CSF has been concentrated within Cancer Foundation Finland, which is the largest private funder of cancer research in Finland.

Founded in 1952, the Finnish Cancer Registry is an epidemiological and statistical research institute focusing on cancer. At its core are the population-based cancer registry and screening registries. The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is the registrar of the Finnish Cancer Registry. The CSF is the technical administrator and processor of personal data for the Finnish Cancer Registry. The registry’s mission is to produce information on the cancer situation and its development for the authorities and the public, to provide researchers with material for cancer research, and to conduct its own research.

Strategy 2021-2025

The strategy is a commitment by the Cancer Society of Finland (CSF) to act decisively to promote health, prevent cancer, support those affected and reduce cancer-related harm nationwide.

Vision: A good life without cancer and despite cancer.

Mission: We prevent cancer, promote survival, and provide support to those affected and their loved ones.

Goals: The CSF is strong and competent organisation that:

• Promotes health, well-being, and cancer prevention
• Enhances a good quality of life for those affected and their loved ones despite cancer
• Strengthens equity and effectiveness in cancer diagnostics and treatment
• Reinforces cancer research and expertise

Development programmes: The implementation of the 2021–2025 strategy focused on five programmes:

• We work with people for people.
• We prioritise actions with high impact.
• We promote our goals in every interaction.
• We develop internal cooperation and division of work.
• We strengthen cancer prevention, diagnostics, and treatment by improving research and expertise.

Initially, the strategy was implemented through development projects. As the operating environment changed, the CSF’s expertise was increasingly directed toward preparing Finland’s first national cancer strategy. At the same time, a new organisational strategy for 2026–2030 was developed and approved in spring 2025, defining, among other things, the strategic priorities and impact chains used for evaluation.