At the event, country-specific strategies were presented by Christian Worm (Denmark), Klara Nilsson Berge (Sweden), Sissi Leyell Espetvedt (Norway) ja Timo Nykopp from the Finnish Cancer Center. The presentations showed that a strong base has been built in the Nordics over time when it comes to the improvement of cancer treatment quality and outcomes. However, the starting points for the strategies differ according to country.
In Denmark, the strategy published in May is already a fifth of its kind, while in Norway the new plan builds on the basis of several previous strategies. In Sweden, the current strategy is an update to the strategy published in 2009, thanks to which the country has built similar treatment pathway and quality registry structures as Denmark and Norway. For Finland, the first cancer strategy was published this week.
The shared direction visible in strategies as well as practical treatment pathways
The shared basis of the strategies was especially visible in the highlighting of prevention and early detection, as well as in the need to strengthen cancer treatment pathway efficiency and the patient-centeredness of services in all countries. The aging population and through it the increasing cancer burden are issues faced throughout the Nordics.
The event also discussed the development of Nordic cancer treatment pathways (CPP). Sweden, Norway and Denmark have, through years of work, settled into a model of nationally conformed and standardized cancer-specific treatment pathways, onto which patients are set starting from a cancer suspicion. The activities of the treatment pathways are followed and assessed systematically, and are supported by national quality registries by offering up-to-date information on treatment and its outcomes. During the event, actual outcomes were also compared to outcome goals, according to which 80% of cancer patients should be treated within set treatment access times.
“Treatment pathways play a key role in enabling efficient diagnosis as well as recognizing possible bottlenecks and needs for resources. Their implementation and following of reliable outcome measures are essential to ensure treatment quality,” Kaja Fjell Jørgensen from the Norwegian Directorate of Health highlighted in her speech.
The role of primary health care and the growing role of prehabilitation
Presentations at the event also highlighted the central role of primary health care in early detection and guidance to the treatment pathways. The diagnostic methods available to primary health care are limited, but sometimes cancer symptoms can be unclear and hard to recognize. The primary healthcare instructions included in the treatment pathways offer support for symptom assessment and early testing.
In Denmark and Sweden, the work is supported by special diagnostic centers, where patients from primary healthcare can be directed to according to the pathway if they present with unclear but cancer-suggesting symptoms. At the centers, patients receive a quick multidisciplinary assessment as well as necessary tests, which speeds up the investigation and ensures the patient is directed to the correct treatment pathway as early as possible.
Prehabilitation – meaning the strengthening of a patient’s functional abilities before treatment – was one of the central themes of the event. There is growing evidence that prehabilitation has positive impact on post-treatment rehabilitation, and it has already been integrated as a part of the treatment pathway in other Nordic countries, for example in the treatment of colorectal cancer. The action models and points of view highlighted in the presentations offer valuable knowledge for development work to be done in Finland as well.
The success of the implementation defines the effectiveness of the strategy
The event’s conversations surrounding the cancer strategies highlighted, that concrete effects will only be seen through implementation. Clear division of responsibilities, sufficient resources, well-planned coordination as well as collaboration between actors were seen as crucial factors in determining how set goals will eventually manifest as better treatment for patients.
For Finland, the first national cancer strategy will now create a basis for long-term development. In the event, it was agreed that Finland has an advantage thanks to the clear assessment and outcome measures set in the strategy, unlike other Nordic countries. This was seen as an important starting point for assessing the strategy’s impact as well as systematic follow-up.
More information
The first Finnish cancer strategy was published on the 10th of November 2025. The strategy defines the goals relating to cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, research and patient support services for the years 2026-2035.
Read more (in Finnish): Yhteinen suunta ihmislähtöiseen ja vaikuttavaan syövän ehkäisyyn ja hoitoon – Kansallinen syöpästrategia on julkaistu – Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö
The new Nordic cancer strategies:
- Finland: Kansallinen syöpästrategia 2026 –2035
- Denmark: Kræftplan V
- Norway: Joint Efforts Against Cancer 2025-2035
- Sweden: Bättre tillsammans – strategy draft
