Background

The purpose of the national collaborative networks (National Cancer Mission Hubs), established at the initiative of the European Commission and with the support of the EU Horizon -funded ECHoS project, is to promote the implementation of the EU Cancer Mission and EU’s Beating Cancer Plan, as well as national cancer strategies and plans, in EU Member States at a national, regional and local level.

The mission-oriented* aim of the Cancer Mission Hub networks is to:

• strengthen collaboration, dialogue and working together between all actors in the cancer field (incl. decision-makers, authorities, healthcare professionals, researchers, patients and citizens, business representatives).
• improve people-centered cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, as well as quality of life of cancer patients and their loved ones through research and innovation.

The activities of the networks focus on five sub-areas. The focus and content of activities vary between member states depending on national features and strengths:

1. Advance and maintain the status of cancer research and treatment as a national priority
2. Increase general awareness, advocacy work and participation in the national implementation of the EU Cancer Mission
3. Build and develop a multidisciplinary national cancer field ecosystem based on collaboration and innovation
4. Advance collaboration and communication, which responds to the needs of patients and citizens as well as healthcare professionals and the research community
5. Ensure national and regional application and relevance of EU Cancer Mission interventions

National Cancer Mission Hub Finland

The activities of National Cancer Mission Hub Finland (Syöpämissio Suomi) will be aligned with the implementation roadmap of the National Cancer Strategy, due to be published in 2026. The founding members of NCMH Finland are the members of the national cancer strategy steering group; the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM), Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN), Cancer Society of Finland and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The goal is for the membership of NCMH Finland to expand and represent different sectors of society in accordance with the principles of the ECHoS project and the Penta Helix structure.

The application for the recognition of NCMH Finland as an early-stage Cancer Mission Hub was submitted in autumn 2025, and the ECHoS project general assembly made a favorable decision to recognize Finland’s NCMH status on 27th of November 2025. The operations of NCMH Finland will start under the coordination of FICAN, in connection with the implementation of the cancer strategy in 2026.

Ideation meetings spring 2026

FICAN will organize discussion sessions meant to generate ideas on the activities of NCMH Finland in February 2026:

• 4.2. at 1:30-3 pm (coffee served at 1 pm) meeting with representatives of patient and citizen organizations [Sign up for the meeting here]
• 11.2. at 12:30-2 pm (coffee served at 12 pm) meeting with representatives of pharmaceutical, diagnostics and private healthcare companies [Sign up for the meeting here]
• 23.2. at 1:30-3 pm (coffee served at 1 pm) meeting with representatives of wellbeing service counties‘ social and health care actors and authorities [Sign up for the meeting here]
• 24.2 at 2:30-4 pm (coffee served at 2 pm) meeting with researchers, educational and research institutions as well as foundations [Sign up for the meeting here]

The February meetings will be organized in hybrid format in Helsinki (Siltasairaala) and Teams. In addition, we will hold a shared discussion session for all stakeholders in Teams on the 23rd of March (afternoon).

The preliminary schedule for starting the operations of the Cancer Mission Hub Finland is presented in the image below.

For more information: Mirjami Tran Minh, mirjami.tran-minh@hus.fi

Resources:

• Slides on the plans of NCMH Finland presented at the National Cancer Forum [Link]
• National Cancer Mission Hubs: from vision to impact. Eurohealth Vol.31 No.1 2025. [Link]
• Mission on Cancer. Implementation plan. September 2021. [Link]