The CSF promotes health, well-being and cancer prevention
Strengthening the knowledge base – monitoring and research
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 2024,THL made a decision regarding cancer registration that clarifies the data collection obligations of wellbeing services counties. Authorities organising healthcare, as well as private healthcare providers, are now required to submit essential data to THL concerning cancer incidence, prevention, treatment, and medical rehabilitation, as well as service usage.
In 2024, the activity level of primary-phase clinical cancer notifications improved significantly due to the introduction of data transfers. Active dialogue was also held with those wellbeing services counties that do not yet use data transfers, to improve the coverage of clinical notifications.
Pathology lab reports are becoming more standardised as the national implementation of the SNOMED CT (Systematised Nomenclature of Medicine – Clinical Terms) classification system for pathology diagnoses expands. Notification activity and data coverage were promoted through regular meetings with data providers.
The Finnish Cancer Registry supports the compilation of cancer data through its data models and guidance, following the principle of single-entry documentation. The goal is to obtain nationally comprehensive, structured and consistent data on all diagnoses requiring notification to the Finnish Cancer Registry. In 2024, the Finnish Cancer Registry collaborated with all university hospitals to improve data collection.
A case summary of new cancer cases was produced in 2024, compiling key information from the diagnostic phase. Due to the significant increase and quality challenges in treatment notifications received via data transfers, these notifications were used only as supplementary information for the case summaries.
A total of 45,883 clinical cancer notifications were received, most via the online service or data system extraction. The number of paper notifications decreased, which is the goal. Approximately 196,000 treatment notifications were received, of which nearly 98% were obtained as data system extractions. All 337,137 pathology notifications were received electronically. Death notifications from 2023 were mainly received from Statistics Finland, totalling 18,086. Table 1 shows the numbers of reported cases by data source.
Table 1. Number of Cases Reported to the Cancer Registry in 2024 by Data Source
| Data Source | Number | Share (%) |
| Pathology notifications | 337,137 | – |
| Death notifications | 18,086 | – |
| – Cancer as underlying cause | 13,910 | 77% |
| Treatment notifications | 196,013 | – |
| – Online service | 4,103 | 2% |
| – Data system extraction | 191,910 | 98% |
| Clinical notifications | 45,883 | – |
| – Online service | 4,270 | 9% |
| – Data system extraction | 41,156 | 90% |
| – Paper | 457 | 1% |
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 2024 was able to compile about two-thirds of cancer cases. This automated processing relies solely on structured data and has been found to produce high-quality registrations. The efficiency gained allows cancer coders to direct their expertise towards creating more complex compilations, evaluations and developing data collection.
The Cancer Registry published 47 peer-reviewed articles in 2024 and was represented in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s working group on the secondary use of health data.
Cancer Registry research activities
The joint Prospective Meta-Cohort Study of Cancer Burden in Finland (METCA) research project, conducted by the Cancer Registry and THL, which combines several Finnish population health studies, published results on the effects of two concurrent risk factors on cancer risk. Ongoing studies examined the links between alcohol use and prostate cancer, as well as between diabetes and various cancers. The factors affecting survival among cancer patients were also investigated.
The quality registry research project published a draft report showing clear regional differences in lung cancer diagnostics. A new project on intergenerational cancer risk was launched to study the impact on children of their parents being diagnosed with cancer.
The Cancer Registry continued to study the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with other Nordic cancer registries, focusing on excess mortality among cancer patients. Joint Nordic articles on the pandemic’s impact on the incidence of the most common cancers and patient survival were submitted for review.
A large cohort study mapping the links between cancer and preceding diseases was published as part of the collaboration with the Finnish Academy’s Centre of Excellence. Articles were also prepared on the links between autoimmune diseases, diabetes and rheumatism and cancer risk.
A research article on occupational exposure and cancer risk was finalised in collaboration with experts from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
The Cancer Registry monitors, evaluates and develops national cancer screening programmes and studies the effectiveness and impact of different screening methods. Screening evaluation studies help determine the sensitivity, accuracy, benefits, adverse effects of screening, as well as the impact of screening on healthcare resource requirements. The 2024 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. These were forwarded to the laboratories and units conducting the screenings. About 340,000 women were invited for breast cancer screening, 420,000 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 2024, the invitation service covered about 65% of the cervical cancer screening target population, 100% of the breast cancer screening target population, and 45% of the colorectal cancer screening target population.
Screening data was submitted electronically to the Cancer Registry. Development work on the data model and parameters continued in collaboration with all screening providers.
Health promotion
CSF health promotion is a targeted activity to enable people’s health and well-being and to prevent cancer. We aim to influence social policy, public attitudes and individual choices, as well as to build health-promoting environments and structures.
Promoting the health of young people.
Since the beginning of the 2000s, a sustained effort has been made to promote healthy lifestyles among young people, in particular to reduce the use of tobacco and nicotine products. Since then, nutrition, exercise, daily rhythm, sun and sexual health, alcohol, and mental well-being have also been included. This broad set of issues has been brought together in the Fressis project.
The Hyvä Päivä (Good Day) project aims to promote the health of young people under the age of 29 who are not in work or education. The Fressis and Hyvä Päivä projects are implemented with STEA grants.
The Kesäkumi (Summer rubber) campaign, which promotes the sexual health of young people and young adults, is funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s infectious disease control budget.
Youth health promotion and reducing the use of tobacco and nicotine products
Fressis service package. A digital service package was used to promote young people’s knowledge and motivation to adopt healthy lifestyles. This included the Fressis.fi and Röökikroppa.fi websites, the Ask an Expert service, the Erovirasto app, substance abuse prevention workshops social media channels, campaigns and collaboration with social media influencers popular among young people.
The revamp of the Fressis.fi website and its social media channels began in 2024. The Fressis.fi website had 340,000 users and the Röökikroppa.fi website had 22,000 users. Nearly 500 young people received answers to their health and lifestyle questions through the Ask an Expert service.
Content from collaborations with social media influencers was viewed 200,000 times. Nearly three million users were reached on TikTok. The content of the Älä ole koekaniini (Don’t be a guinea pig) campaign was viewed over four million times on various social media channels. The campaign was awarded the Finnish Comms Award for the most influential campaign of the year and was selected as the winner in the Launch or Breakthrough category.
More than 400 young people were met at substance abuse workshops and other events. Young people were offered online and social media support for quitting tobacco and nicotine products through the Hei Lopeta (Hey, Quit) campaign website and the Erovirasto (Quit Agency) app.
Nicotine-free everyday environments for young people were promoted by strengthening the knowledge and motivation of professionals in supporting young people to quit nicotine. In addition, models supporting nicotine-free living were applied in vocational colleges and sports clubs. This was done together with seven regional cancer associations. The current status and needs of promoting nicotine-free environments in upper secondary schools were investigated by interviewing representatives from five different upper secondary schools or comprehensive schools.
Supporting nicotine-free environments in vocational colleges. The Nikotiiniton amis (nicotine-free vocational college) model was introduced at one new vocational school, Sataedu. In addition, the promotion of nicotine-free environments continued at Gradia and Ekami, and the process of introducing the model was completed at two Sedu (vocational training) campuses. A total of over 1,700 vocational school students, staff representatives, and guardians were reached through the introduction of the model and supporting activities.
Supporting nicotine-free living in sports clubs. The Nicotine-Free Sports model and its components were disseminated through sports federations, sports organisations, and networks. Collaboration was undertaken with the Football Association of Finland, the Gymnastics Federation, and the Sports Federation of North Karelia. The implementation of the Nicotine-Free Sports model continued in sports clubs (e.g., KuPS Juniors and Puijo Volley). The CSF marketed the model in cooperation with the Substance Abuse and Sports Network at a joint seminar.
Development workshops for experts were held as part of the student health care service model for supporting smoking and nicotine cessation. The model was piloted with 59 student health nurses across Finland. In the autumn, implementation training for the model was arranged for 51 student health nurses in the wellbeing services county of North Karelia. Of those who responded to the pilot evaluation, 94% said that they can or will use the model in their work, as did 100% of those who responded to the training feedback.
In the future, the model will be rolled out to other wellbeing services counties.
FressisEdu.fi contains materials and tools for promoting nicotine-free living and well-being among young people, mainly in educational institutions and sports clubs. The materials are also useful for parents and guardians. Training was organised for health education teachers and trainee teachers at the University of Tampere in collaboration with the Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention (EHYT). In collaboration with partners, a total of more than 5,800 professionals and young adults working with young people were trained. Based on feedback, the training strengthened the professionals’ ability to support young people in staying nicotine-free and to discuss substance abuse issues with young people. Over 400 copies of the updated Tarmo health game were ordered. The revamp of the FressisEdu.fi website began in 2024.
The Kesäkumi campaign was carried out for the 29th time in collaboration with the YleX radio station, the Finnish Red Cross, and the Soldiers’ Home Association. The aim was, among other things, to strengthen young people’s positive attitude towards using condoms and oral sex protection and to encourage them to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. For the CSF, the key objective was to increase awareness about HPV. The campaign reached hundreds of thousands of young people through outreach and communication work. Of those who provided feedback at the Summer Rubber kiosk (n=147), 76% intend to use a condom during their next sexual encounter. The feedback also showed that the campaign is considered important and that people hope it will continue.
Promoting healthy lifestyles among young adults
The Hyvä Päivä (Good Day) programme is aimed at young people under the age of 29 who are not in work or education and who have impaired study and functional capacity. The aim is to increase young people’s knowledge and skills regarding healthy lifestyles. The project trains professionals working with young people to become Hyvä Päivä group leaders.
In 2024, the programme model was extended beyond municipal youth services and wellbeing services counties to include vocational colleges, with new educational institutions joining the programme. The Hyvä Päivä instructor website was revamped and a newsletter was launched.
A total of 75 professionals working with young people participated in five instructor training sessions. Of those who provided feedback (N=52), 87% felt that the training strengthened their knowledge of how to address healthy lifestyles with young people. In addition, two webinars were organised for professionals working with young people.
Altogether 28 Hyvä Päivä groups were held, with 203 young people participating. The groups supported the transition to healthier lifestyles: 84% of the young people who provided feedback (N=70) reported that the topics covered had helped them to incorporate more things into their daily lives that support well-being. Of the young people who provided feedback, 74% said they had learned how to prepare healthy meals or snacks.
Cancer prevention and health promotion in age groups other than young people
Target groups. Cancer prevention and health promotion have been targeted at both the healthy population and cancer patients. General health promotion work has been carried out in collaboration with, among others, member associations, educational institutions and various organisations.
Health promotion work with member associations. Joint health promotion work is based on our Health Promotion Action Plan for 2023-2025. It was implemented under the coordination of a steering group.
Promoting physical activity among cancer patients. Patients were offered guided remote exercise sessions, both live and prerecorded. A total of 138 guided sessions were held, with 4,465 participants. Based on a feedback survey (N=476), participants were very satisfied and 9/10 intended to continue participating in online exercise. Online exercise was implemented as an internal CSF collaboration and with the participation of some regional cancer associations and national patient associations.
Promoting healthy sun behaviour. Sun safety information was provided in cooperation with the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority and the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The theme received extensive media coverage. To promote UV protection for children, a training model was produced for early childhood education and primary school professionals. The Cancer Society of Southwest Finland and the Cancer Society of Ostrobothnia trained 143 early childhood education and primary school professionals in accordance with this model. Feedback revealed that 96% of participants intend to pay attention to sun protection for children in their work going forward.
Encouraging participation in screening. The aim of the Use Your Appointment campaign was to get more women aged 25–30 to participate in cervical cancer screening than currently. The campaign raised awareness among the target group about screening and the importance of participating in it. The campaign reached 177,392 people, which is 51% of the target group in Finland. Through influencer collaboration, 23,290 people were reached, and 2,748 users visited the campaign page during the campaign period.
A survey was conducted to assess citizens’ awareness of cancer risks. The results can be used in communications, advocacy work, and operational planning. One thousand Finnish people responded to the survey.
Preventing the use of tobacco and nicotine products by pregnant women and support for quitting. Participation as a trainer in the training of nicotine counsellors organised by the City of Helsinki.
Information on healthy lifestyles for cancer prevention and health promotion was provided on the CSF websites and social media channels.
Strengthening CSF staff skills. Expertise in cancer information, health promotion, and cancer prevention was strengthened through training days and monthly Teams training mornings. Topics covered in the health promotion sessions in 2024 included alcohol, nicotine, breast self-examination and nutrition. Guidelines for breast self-examination were updated in collaboration with the Finnish Cancer Registry.
Collaboration with organisations and networks. We continued to work closely with other organisations. We were involved in, among others, Smoke-Free Finland, Smoke-Free Helsinki, the Non-Communicable Disease Alliance, the health promotion networks of the Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health (SOSTE), the Obesity Prevention Expert Group, and the Hyvä kierre project of Helsinki University Hospital.
International cooperation. We were involved in Nordic cooperation on the prevention of smoking and nicotine use and obesity prevention. In addition, we were involved in the work of the ECL’s tobacco, obesity, and early detection groups. We actively followed the activities of the EU and WHO, among others, and participated in the World Cancer Conference.
CAPOC, Common Action for the Prevention of Overweight and Obesity among Children. Since 2022, the CSF been involved in the joint Nordic CAPOC project, which aims to prevent overweight and obesity among children in the Nordic countries. In 2024, a systematic review of various policy measures to prevent overweight and obesity in children was completed. Policy recommendations on the subject were also published, and the opinions of Nordic citizens on the implementation of policy measures to prevent obesity were surveyed.
Bumper, EU4Health project. The CSF participated in the Bumper project (Boosting the usability of the EU Mobile App for Cancer) coordinated by ECL. The project developed a mobile app for EU citizens. The aim is to increase their knowledge of cancer prevention methods and encourage healthy lifestyles. Finland’s participation was put on hold in the summer of 2024 pending further funding for the project.