The main goals and working groups of the cancer strategy work are described on the page Steering and coordination of Cancer Strategy Work.
Successful implementation of the cancer strategy requires that various stakeholders can commit to its goals and actions. In spring 2025, a broad consultation round will take place, offering an opportunity to discuss the cancer strategy’s sub-goals and measures and provide written feedback. The secretariat for the cancer strategy work will provide more detailed information about the schedule early in the upcoming year.
A positive step forward in implementation is the Parliamentary Finance Committee’s proposal to allocate €80,000 in next year’s budget for implementing the cancer strategy. While this is only a small fraction of the actual resources required, it is an important acknowledgment of the strategy’s significance. The matter will be addressed in Parliament before Christmas. The budget proposal also includes additional funding for quality registries, which play a significant role in developing cancer care and in the cancer strategy.
“In our Finance Committee report, we emphasized that the cancer strategy should make evidence-based proposals to support cancer prevention, early detection, and rehabilitation. I consider it crucial that the opportunity mentioned by the committee to support the implementation of the strategy through the Health and Wellbeing Growth Program becomes a reality,” says Sari Sarkomaa, Chair of the Parliamentary Cancer Network.
The cancer strategy is being developed at a time when the number of cancer patients and the costs of cancer care are rising sharply, while cancer care is becoming more personalized due to advancements in diagnostics and treatment methods.
“It is excellent that the unique challenges posed by cancer are being recognized in the challenging situation faced by the wellbeing service counties. Cancer care requires increasingly personalized approaches and full utilization of research frameworks in cost-effective prevention and treatment. Implementing this as part of the service offering requires national guidelines,” notes FICAN Director Tomi Mäkelä.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and FICAN signed an agreement on preparing the cancer strategy on May 2, 2024. The steering group also includes the Cancer Society of Finland and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The cancer strategy is scheduled for completion in spring 2025. Progress can be followed at related events and on FICAN’s website.
The cancer strategy work strengthens the national implementation of the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission.
For more information:
Director Tomi Mäkelä, info@fican.fi, +358 50 528 6128
