Cancer screening
Screening can reveal cancer or its early stage early on, making treatment easier and the prognosis better. The screenings are free of charge and voluntary. Those belonging to the target group will receive a screening invitation home.
In Finland, mass examinations are performed to screen for breast cancer, cervical cancer as well as colon and rectal cancer:
- All women aged 50-69 are invited to breast cancer screening every 20-26 months.
- All women aged 25-65 are invited to cervical cancer screening every five years.
- In the HUS region, all men and women aged 60-72 are invited to colon and rectal cancer screening every two years.
Conditions for receiving the Service
Cancer screenings are intended for specific target groups, which are determined by age and gender.Breast cancer screening
All Finnish women aged 50 to 69 years are invited around every 24 months to breast cancer screening, carried out at a screening location designated by the wellbeing services county. The time and place for the screening are specified in the invitation letter. If need be, you can change your appointment. In Western Uusimaa, mammography screenings are conducted by
- ArvoTerveys(external link) (in Finnish) (external link)- for residents in Espoo and Kauniainen
- If you have a non-disclosure of personal data (such as a non-disclosure for personal safety), please contact the customer service at ArvoTerveys.
- Terveysatalo(external link) - for residents in Kirkkonummi, Siuntio, Ingå, Hanko, Lohja, Karkkila, Raseborg and Vihti. The service provider was formerly known as Suomen Radiologikeskus. The screening locations are Terveystalo in Lohja and a mobile unit in Raseborg. Residents of Kirkkonummi, Lohja, Vihti, Karkkila and Siuntio are invited to the screening location in Lohja and residents of Raseborg, Hanko and Ingå to the mobile unit in Raseborg. Screenings in Raseborg are carried out in the autumn, whereas screenings in Lohja can be conducted all year round.
- If you have a non-disclosure of personal data (such as a non-disclosure for personal safety) or your municipality of residence has changed in 2026, you can contact the service provider at 045 7734 9975 (on weekdays from 9.00 to 16.00).
Persons to be invited in 2026 for breast cancer screening are born in: 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974 and 1976.
Cervical cancer screening
All women aged 25 to 65 years are invited to cervical cancer screening every five years. The time and place for the test are specified in the invitation letter. If need be, you can change your appointment. The test can be carried out, for instance, at a health station or a maternity and child health clinic. Persons to be invited in 2026 for cervical cancer screening are born in 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001.
For more information on cervical cancer screening, please visit the website of the HUS Group.(external link)
Colorectal cancer screening
In colorectal cancer screening, the sample is taken at home as per the instructions. If you are invited to screening, you will receive with the invitation letter the equipment for taking the sample. The sample is sent to the laboratory in a prepaid return envelope.
For more information on colorectal cancer screening, please visit the website of the HUS Group.(external link)
Mobility support for trips to run errands
Mobility support can help you if you are unable to use public transport or travel independently because of difficulties caused by an illness, disability or ageing.
Mobility support may be granted under the Social Welfare Act or the Disability Services Act. The eligibility criteria depend on your individual circumstances.
You may be eligible for mobility support under the Social Welfare Act if:
- you do not receive support for travel under any other legislation
- your functional capacity has been reduced for a prolonged period because of an illness or ageing
- you are unable to use public transport without unreasonable difficulty
- you cannot use your own car or a car belonging to someone who lives in the same household as you for your mobility needs
- your income meets the eligibility criteria for the service or your overall circumstances support granting you the service.
Eligibility for transport services under the Social Welfare Act is not based on age. Your need for the service is always assessed individually on the basis of your functional capacity, difficulties with mobility and personal circumstances. People who use the service are often older people.
You may be eligible for mobility support under the Disability Services Act if:
- you need transport services because of a disability or illness to manage ordinary activities in your daily life
- you are unable to use public transport because of limitations in your functional capacity
- your need for transport services is caused by a long-term or permanent disability or illness.
Transport services provided under the Disability Services Act may also include assistance from an escort during the journey. The purpose of this support is to ensure that you are able to travel and manage ordinary activities in your daily life.
How do I apply for the service?
Your need for mobility support is always assessed individually. The assessment takes into account factors such as your functional capacity, difficulties with mobility, the means of transport available to you and your personal circumstances. Read more about mobility support.