Background

The purpose of the 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, private sector).
• 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

Cancer Mission Hub Finland (Syöpämissio Suomi) acts as Finland’s NCMH. The founding members of the Finnish CMH 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.

Apply to join NCMH Finland

The announcement regarding membership applications can be found on the FICAN website: Tule mukaan Syöpämissio Suomen toimintaan! (in Finnish)

Applications can be sent by organizations or their units, who work within:

• healthcare
• research and education
• civil society, organizations and foundations
• public administration
• private/business sector

and whose activities relate to cancer prevention, diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, research, development or education.

Membership is organization-based, voluntary and free of cost. Member organizations commit to the to objectives and operating principles of NCMH Finland, and to participate in collaborative work according to their own abilities and resources. Membership does not create legal obligations for the organization.

Member organizations can make suggestions for the development of the network. The scope of the activities, as well as the establishment of any potential thematic or other working groups, will depend on the participating organizations and their available resources. In the initial phase, Cancer Mission Hub Finland will organize Teams meetings for its members approximately every other month. The first meeting will be held in January 2027.

Instead of using the online form, you can also submit your application as a PDF file (in Finnish) to syopamissio@fican.fi. The form can also be used to register new units or individuals from organizations that are already involved in the network.

In 2026, decisions regarding the acceptance of new members will be made by the National Cancer Strategy steering group. Applications submitted by the end of November (November 30th) will be reviewed at the steering group meeting on 9th of December 2026. From 2027 onwards, decisions on the acceptance of new members will be made by the members of NCMH Finland.

Brainstorming meetings spring 2026

In February 2026, the FICAN coordinating unit organized brainstorming sessions related to the activities of NCMH Finland, involving representatives from patient and civic organizations, companies in the pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and other healthcare sectors, social and health service providers from wellbeing services counties, public authorities, researchers, educational and research organizations as well as foundations.

A summary and discussion session for all stakeholders in the cancer field was held in March 2026 [link to presentation materials] (in Finnish). During the session, participants explored areas where Finnish cancer care, research, and patients would benefit most from coordinated national collaboration, discussed the pros and cons of current collaborative frameworks, as well as examined how Cancer Mission Hub Finland can advance the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy. The brainstorming was productive, and the resulting materials will be used in the planning of the hubs activities [link to file] (in Finnish).

For more information: syopamissio@fican.fi

Resources and background information:

• Slides on the plans of NCMH Finland presented at the National Cancer Forum [Link]
• Summary slides presented at the 23.3.2026 NCMH Finland event (in Finnish) [Link]
• National Cancer Mission Hubs: from vision to impact. Eurohealth Vol.31 No.1 2025. [Link]
• Mission on Cancer. Implementation plan. September 2021. [Link]