Cancer screening can save lives
Cancer screening can detect cancer or precancerous changes before symptoms appear. It often makes treatment easier and prognoses better. Cancer screenings are free of charge, and those eligible for screening receive an invitation at their home address.
In Finland, population-based screening programmes are used to screen for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer. The aim of screening is to detect any changes as early as possible.
Many postpone their participation because they feel well or feel unsure about the screening. Even so, it is a good idea to attend screening when you receive an invitation. Those without symptoms can also benefit from screenings, as they can detect cancer or precancerous stages or before any symptoms appear.
Participation is easy
The screenings are free and voluntary. Invitations to breast and cervical cancer screening inform you about the time and place of the examination. If the scheduled time does not suit you, you can easily change it. The sample for bowel cancer screening is collected at home according to the instructions provided in the invitation.
In Finland, the groups invited to screening are:
- women aged 50–69 for breast cancer screening, approximately once every two years
- women aged 25–65 for cervical cancer screening, once every five years
- men and women aged 60–72 for bowel cancer screening in the HUS area, once every two years.
Differences in participation between municipalities
In the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County, around three out of four people invited to cancer screenings participated in 2025. The participation rate was 73.3%, with 71,361 people taking part in the screenings. The participation rates differed between the screenings and municipalities.
The participation rate was the highest for breast cancer screening. In half of the municipalities in the region, the participation rate was at least 80%. The lowest participation rate was recorded for bowel cancer screening, at 71%.
“Screening can help detect cancer or precancerous changes at an early stage. This is why we encourage everyone who has received an invitation to participate in the screening,” says Anu Mustakari-Ilovuori, Service Area Director.
Feeling healthy does not eliminate the need for screening
Not everyone is familiar with what goes on during an examination or the purpose of the screening. The invitation explains how to participate in screening and how to change the appointment if necessary.
“Many people wonder whether they should attend screening if they are feeling healthy. This is exactly when screening can be useful, as it enables detecting possible changes before any symptoms appear,” Mustakari-Ilovuori says.
When you receive an invitation, make sure to set some time aside for the screening. The earlier cancer is detected, the better the chances of successful treatment.
Enquiries:
Anu Mustakari-Ilovuori, Service Area Director, Joint Social Welfare and Health Care Services
anu.mustakari-ilovuori@luvn.fi
+358406393120
More information about cancer screening, target groups and practices is available on our website:
Other online sources also provide good information about cancer screening:
Cervical cancer screening - Feel Your Breasts Association(external link)
Screening mammogram - Feel Your Breasts Association(external link)
Bowel cancer screening - Feel Your Breasts Association(external link)