The implementation roadmap
The National Cancer Strategy’s implementation roadmap will guide the step-by-step implementation of the strategy in its first 5-year-period 2026-2031.
The aim is to develop people-centered services, reduce cancer burden through prevention and early detection, as well as ensure effective and equal treatment throughout Finland. Though cancer treatment in Finland is of high quality, the growing cancer burden as well as the goal of reaching the Nordic standard of treatment outcomes require significant improvements. Developments in diagnostics and personalized cancer care bring new opportunities, but also increase the need for a solid knowledge base as well as for improving the effectiveness of cancer prevention, treatment and research.
The implementation roadmap describes the measures, timetables, responsible entities and required resources necessary for reaching the strategy’s goals. The aim of the roadmap is to ensure the practical implementation of the strategy, as well as clarify the roles of different administrative branches, authorities, wellbeing services counties and organizations. Successful implementation will require broad, national commitment and active policy measures.
Implementation and monitoring of the roadmap
Though some of the measures proposed in the roadmap are already under way as part of broader national initiatives, most measures require additional resources and legislative changes in order to be implemented. In total, the implementation of the cancer strategy will require an estimated 140 million euros worth of additional investments, which are expected to bring substantial savings and growth through the prevention of cancer incidence, early detection and increased research, development and innovation activities.
An monitoring group will be established, with the responsibility of coordinating, setting direction for, and monitoring the implementation of the strategy. The implementation roadmap will be updated throughout the process, taking into account possible changes in the operating environment, and a broader evaluation as well as a continuation of the implementation roadmap for the following 5-year-period will be prepared in 2030.
Background and implementation of the roadmap work
The implementation roadmap of the strategy was prepared based on the work of the strategy’s working groups. The work was commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, with the preparation coordinated by the Finnish Cancer Center FICAN. The steering group has included representatives from the with the work being commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Cancer Society of Finland and FICAN.
The operating period of the steering group is 1.1.2026-31.12.2026.
The roadmap was published 23.9.2026 (in Finnish).
Members of the steering group (member / vice member):
- Hanne Kuitunen, Director of Center of Competence, OYS Cancer Center (chair) / Sirkku Jyrkkiö, Oncologist, Docent (vice chair)
- Tuula Helander, Director, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health / Kari Raaska, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
- Johanna Arola, Dean, University of Helsinki / Tapio Visakorpi, Vice Dean, Tampere University
- Jan Magnusson, Head of Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare / Satu Männistö, Head of Research, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
- Juha Pekka Turunen, Secretary General, Cancer Society of Finland / Janne Pitkäniemi, Director of Cancer Registry, Cancer Society of Finland
Members of the secretariat:
- FICAN coordinating unit: Tomi Mäkelä, Outi Nikunen, Timo Nykopp, Mirjami Tran Minh, Sauli Vuoti
- Cancer Society of Finland: Sarianne Hartonen, Sanna Lappi-Heikkinen, Veli-Matti Partanen
- Finnish Cancer Institute: Tiina Vesterinen
The planned schedule for the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy can be seen in the picture below.
