The CSF promotes health, well-being and cancer prevention 2025

Registration and compilation of cancer data. Cancer registration is based on notifications of new cancer cases received from healthcare providers (clinical notifications, pathology reports). In accordance with a decision by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), public healthcare authorities and private healthcare providers, are now required to submit the necessary data to THL concerning cancer incidence, prevention, treatment, and medical rehabilitation, as well as the use of services.

Active dialogue was also held with those wellbeing services counties that do not yet use data transfers, to improve the coverage of clinical notifications. Coverage improved for university hospitals after data submissions began to be carried out via electronic data transfers. However, coverage remains low for central hospitals.

A case summary was produced for new cancer cases, compiling key data from the time of diagnosis. In 2025, the Finnish Cancer Registry collaborated with all university hospitals to improve data collection.

A total of 34,464 clinical cancer notifications were received, the majority of which came via the online service or data system extraction. The number of paper-based notifications decreased, which is the goal. A total of 221,086 treatment notifications were received, of which nearly 98% were obtained as data system extractions. All pathology reports—333,296 in total—were received electronically. In addition, Death notifications from 2024 were mainly received from Statistics Finland, totalling 18,086.

 

Table 1 presents the number of notifications by data source.

With the increase in cancer incidence, the number of notifications also grows, requiring more efficient data compilation. To address this, an automation system has been incorporated into the Finnish Cancer Registry, which in 2025 was able to compile about two-thirds of cancer cases. The quality of automatically compiled registrations has been found to be excellent. This increased efficiency allows cancer coders to focus on more demanding compilation tasks, evaluation, and the development of data collection.

Research Activities of the Finnish Cancer Registry

In 2025, the Finnish Cancer Registry published 30 peer-reviewed articles. The joint Prospective Meta-Cohort Study of Cancer Burden in Finland (METCA) research project, conducted by the Finnish Cancer Registry and THL, which combines several Finnish population health studies, published findings on the impact of modifiable lifestyle factors on breast cancer risk and mortality among women under 50. The project also published findings on trends in breast cancer incidence and survival by risk factor groups among patients with the most common cancers. Ongoing research examined, among other things, the association between alcohol consumption and prostate cancer risk.

The quality registry research project published the first version of a lung cancer quality report, revealing clear regional differences in lung cancer diagnostics. Data collection and reporting on myeloma also began, and the registry’s data resources were expanded with medication purchase and reimbursement data from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela).

In 2025, the first article was published from an intergenerational cancer study, which investigates the effects of parent’s cancer on their children.

The Finnish Cancer Registry continued to study the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with other Nordic cancer registries. In 2025, a joint Nordic article was published on the pandemic’s impact on cancer incidence and stage distribution.

As part of the collaboration with the Finnish Academy’s Centre of Excellence, a study was published on the association between type II diabetes and its related complications and the risk of colorectal cancer. Articles were also prepared on the links between autoimmune diseases and rheumatism and cancer risk, as well as on the prevalence of chronic diseases among cancer patients aged over 75.

A research article on occupational exposures and cancer risk was prepared in collaboration with experts from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

The Finnish Cancer Registry monitors, evaluates and develops national cancer screening programmes and studies the functionality and effectiveness of different screening methods. Screening evaluation studies help determine the sensitivity, accuracy, benefits, adverse effects of screening, as well as the healthcare resources required for screening. The 2025 screening studies are discussed in more detail in section 4b of this annual report.

Registration and Reporting of Screening Data

 The Mass Screening Registry received personal and municipality data of individuals invited for cancer screenings from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. The Mass Screening Registry forwards this data to the laboratories and units conducting the screenings.

About 340,000 women were invited for breast cancer screening, 490,000 men and women for colorectal cancer screening, and 300,000 women for cervical cancer screening, about 5% of whom were 25 years old—below the statutory screening age. HPV test-based screening covered about 90% of the target population for screening.

For municipalities using the invitation service, name and address data were extracted, in addition to basic data, from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. Data on women in cervical cancer screening risk groups was also extracted. In 2025, the invitation service covered about 60% of the cervical cancer screening target population, 100% of the breast cancer screening target population, and 45% of the colorectal cancer screening target population.

To support internal quality control of screening data, tools were developed to allow individual-level datasets to be supplemented with information from sources such as the HILMO Care Register and the Cancer Registry.

Health Promotion

CSF health promotion is a goal-oriented activity aimed at preventing cancer and supporting well-being. We aim to influence social policy, public attitudes and individual choices, as well as to build health-promoting environments in cooperation with our member associations, among others.

Promoting Young People’s Health

Promoting healthy lifestyles among young people has been a long-term effort, particularly aimed at reducing the use of tobacco and nicotine products. Currently, the Fressis project also addresses nutrition, physical activity, daily routines, sun safety, sexual health, alcohol use, and mental wellbeing.

The Hyvä Päivä (“Good Day”) project supports health promotion among people under 29 who are not in education or employment.

Both projects were funded by STEA grants. The Kesäkumi campaign, which promotes sexual health among young people and young adults, was funded from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s budget for communicable disease control.

Fressis – Promoting Nicotine-Free Living and Healthy Lifestyles Among Young People

The Fressis.fi service package. Young people’s knowledge and motivation for healthy lifestyles were strengthened through digital services: Fressis.fi, the “Ask an Expert” service, the Erovirasto app, substance-use workshops, social media channels, campaigns, and influencer collaborations.

The Fressis.fi website was redesigned in 2025 and attracted over 190,000 users. Through the “Ask an Expert” service, 254 young people received answers to their health and lifestyle questions. Social media content reached a wide audience of young people: influencer content generated over 900,000 views, and 2.5 million users were reached on TikTok. The “Don’t Be a Guinea Pig” campaign won awards in the Gen Z Communications and Small Budget Campaign categories at the Digital Communication Awards. About 1,500 young people were reached at events.

Support for quitting tobacco and nicotine product use was provided through the website, social media, the “Hey, Quit” campaign, and the Erovirasto app. Development of the app to include new nicotine products began.

Supporting nicotine-free educational institutions. The Nicotine-Free Vocational School model supports building nicotine-free cultures and environments in vocational institutions. The model was implemented with five regional cancer associations in five schools (Eduko, Gradia, SataEdu, Raseko, and KpEdu), and rollout was completed at Ekami. The initiative reached over 280 staff members and more than 2,100 students. Tools for promoting nicotine-free environments in lower secondary schools were also developed in collaboration with school professionals.

Promoting nicotine-free sports environments. The Nicotine-Free Sports model was used with sports federations, organisations, and sports institutes. Partners included the Football Association of Finland, the Gymnastics Federation, Sports Institutes Finland, and the North Karelia regional sports organisation. Implementation of the Nicotine-Free Sports model also continued in sports clubs in collaboration with regional cancer associations.

Model for supporting cessation among youth. The cessation support model developed in the previous year was implemented in the wellbeing services counties of North Savo, Vantaa-Kerava. Training sessions on the implementation and review of the model were organised for school and student healthcare professionals, as well as staff of vocational institutions. Feedback indicated that participants found the training useful and felt better equipped to support quitting.

FressisEdu.fi. Websites, training sessions, and events strengthened professionals’ knowledge and skills in supporting youth nicotine-free lifestyles. The revamped website was found to provide clear, up-to-date information and to better serve the needs of its target groups. Over 760 professionals and guardians were reached through training and events.

Kesäkumi Campaign. In its 30th anniversary year, the campaign reached hundreds of thousands of young people through outreach and communications. It aimed to strengthen positive attitudes toward condom and oral sex protection use, encourage STI testing, and increase awareness of HPV. The campaign achieved its goals well: of those who provided feedback (N=356), 78% reported having a more positive attitude toward condom use. The campaign was implemented in cooperation with YleX, the Finnish Red Cross, and the Finnish Soldiers’ Home Association.

Hyvä Päivä Activities. The Hyvä Päivä programme for youth and young adults helps young people build their knowledge, skills, and motivation for healthy lifestyles through group activities. It targets 16–29-year-olds who are not in employment or education or who are in vocational training. The CSF’s train youth service and vocational education professionals to become programme facilitators.

In 2025, 18 groups were organised, with 132 participants. Of those who provided feedback (N=62), 90% learned to prepare healthy meals, nearly 80% adopted more regular daily routines, and 70% increased their physical activity and felt more energetic in daily lives.

Cancer Prevention and Health Promotion in Other Target Groups

Promoting physical activity among people with cancer. Live and recorded remote exercise sessions were provided for people with cancer, survivors, and their loved ones. A total of 165 sessions were held with 11,346 participations. Satisfaction was very high: 98% of respondents (N=1031) intended to continue participating in remote exercise.

Promoting HPV vaccination coverage. Presentations were given at THL webinars for healthcare professionals, teachers, and parents, reaching hundreds of participants.

Promoting sun-safe behaviour. A media briefing on sun safety was organised in cooperation with the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) and the Finnish Meteorological Institute, resulting in strong media coverage. Early childhood and primary school professionals were trained on UV protection for children. National and regional information sessions reached 197 participants, and 94% of respondents said they would pay more attention to children’s sun protection in their work.

The CSF took part in the preparation of a national UV programme led by STUK, to be published in 2026, and studied young people’s awareness, attitudes and behaviour related to UV exposure.

Collaboration was also carried out with Cancer Foundation Finland and the skincare products company ACO. A presentation by the CSF at the ACO Sun 2025 webinar reached over 2,000 people working in pharmacies. At the Cancer Foundation Finland’s influencer event, sun health was discussed with approximately 30 influencers.

Raising cancer risk awareness. Information on healthy lifestyles was shared through the CSF’s communication channels. Communications and advocacy efforts made extensive use of a survey conducted the previous year that assessed the public’s awareness of cancer risks. A nationwide online course was developed in cooperation with Savonia University of Applied Sciences and a regional cancer association.

Strengthening staff expertise. Knowledge of cancer information, health promotion, and prevention was enhanced through training days and monthly online sessions. Health promotion topics included cancer risk awareness, the effects of nicotine on the brain, and the updated European cancer prevention guidelines.

Organisational and network cooperation. The CSF participated in networks such as Smoke-Free Finland, Smoke-Free Helsinki, and others, as well as in the Expert Group on Obesity Prevention and the HUS Helsinki University Hospital “Hyvä kierre” project.

International cooperation. Nordic collaboration focused on preventing tobacco use and obesity. The organisations also participated in European Cancer Leagues (ECL) working groups (tobacco, obesity, and early detection, as well as patient support) and monitored EU and WHO actions.

EU Projects – and PreventNCD

Several pilot projects were conducted:

• A remote lifestyle counselling pilot for cancer survivors
• A lifestyle intervention for quitting nicotine use among cancer patients
• A pilot of the Nicotine-Free Vocational School model, including surveys, interviews, and monitoring