The Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN) and the Cancer Society of Finland are involved in the EU Horizon-funded ECHoS project (Establishing Cancer Mission Hubs: Networks and Synergies), which aims to establish a Cancer Mission Hub network in each member state to promote the EU Mission on Cancer and the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan at the national, regional and local level.
The objectives of the Cancer Mission Hub networks are to
- strengthen cooperation, dialogue, and collaboration between all actors in the cancer field, including decision-makers, authorities, healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, citizens, and business representatives.
- improve people-centered cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and the quality of life of cancer patients and their loved ones through research and innovation.
In September, the national cancer strategy steering group and the FICAN management board discussed Finland’s plans to apply for Starting Stage Cancer Mission Hub recognition in the fall 2025 application round. Both groups supported the plans, and the application was submitted on September 30, 2025. The decision on granting National Cancer Mission Hub recognition will be made by the ECHoS project General Assembly in November 2025. If recognition is granted, activities will begin in 2026, coordinated by FICAN and decided by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM) as part of the implementation of the cancer strategy.
The proposal is that FICAN will act as the coordinating body for the Starting Stage Cancer Mission Hub Finland. The founding organisations proposed are the members of the cancer strategy steering group, which are the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, FICAN, Cancer Society of Finland, and the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
The main priorities for Finland’s activities are planned to be
- strengthening broad-based cooperation between cancer actors with the aim of maintaining and promoting the status of cancer treatment and cancer research as a national priority
- promoting the implementation of the national cancer strategy
- strengthening Finland’s position and attractiveness in the field of cancer research and innovation, with the aim of creating an operating environment that supports research and innovation.
- In line with the objectives of the EU Cancer Mission, strengthening the role of patients and citizens in cancer research and in improving the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors.
Cancer Mission Hub Finland’s activities are based on existing organisations and cooperation networks, strengthening dialogue between them and supporting common goals to accelerate the implementation of the EU Cancer Mission, the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan, and the national cancer strategy.
More details about the National Cancer Mission Hubs and Finland’s plans will be presented at the Finnish Cancer Forum on November 10, 2025. Registration for the event is now open. You can find the program and registration form at the link below. Welcome!
National Cancer Forum 2025: Program and link to the registration form
