Finland
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Cancer Centers
Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center
Turku University Hospital Cancer Centre
TAYS Cancer Centre Tampere University Hospital
Cancer Center of Kuopio University Hospital
Healthcare System
Finland operates a decentralized, tax-funded universal healthcare system. The system is primarily managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health at a national level, but about 300 municipalities hold significant responsibility for organizing and providing health services to their residents.
All Finnish citizens and permanent residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services through the municipal health care services and the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, managed by the Social Insurance Institution (SII). The municipal health care services cover all necessary health services at all levels, while the NHI funds healthcare-related travel costs, outpatient medications, and certain private sector services. Certain groups, such as asylum seekers without a residence permit, undocumented immigrants, and foreign temporary workers, have access to essential emergency care.
Healthcare benefits under the Finnish system include preventative care, primary and specialized medical care, mental health services, dental care, and rehabilitation services. Access to these services requires residency in Finland, with some services having waiting times for non-emergency cases.
Finland maintains a robust system of electronic health records (EHR), managed by healthcare providers and integrated into a national data repository known as Kanta. Health registries and claims data provide comprehensive, anonymized data on health conditions and health services utilization. Approximately 75% of health expenditure is publicly funded, and ongoing reforms aim to streamline sector structures and financing.
Administrative or Claims Data
Registries
Database: Finnish Cancer Registry
Database: Statistics Finland - Cause of Death
Database: Register of Primary Health Care Visits
Database: Sotkanet Indicator Bank
Databases for Clinical Trials, Surveys and Biobanks
Survey/Biobank: FINRISK
Survey/Biobank: National FinHealth 2017 Study
Survey/Biobank: Finnish Mobile Clinic Examination
Survey/Biobank: Health 2000 and 2011
Study/Biobank: ATBC Study
Survey: FinSote - Lifestyle and Risk Factors
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Finnish Medical Association Duodecim Guidelines
Sponsor, manager or home institution: Duodecim of the Finnish Medical Society and other institutions.
Primary purpose: To provide independent national treatment recommendations based on research evidence.
Type of information: Treatment recommendations; Epidemiology and etiology; Prevalence classification and histological classification; Diagnostics; Monitoring; Quality of life of patients of prostate, lung, oral cancer and palliative care and hospice care recommendations.
Access to information: List of guidelines [1].
Latest Policymaking Initiatives
Report: Finnish Cancer Registry
Sponsor, manager or home institution: Finnish Cancer Registry; Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
Primary purpose: To maintain a comprehensive national registry of all diagnosed cancer cases and serve as a statistical and epidemiological research institute.
Type of information: Screenings programs, annual cancer reports with new cancer cases, the number of cancer deaths, cancer prevalence and patient survival.
Data level: National level.
Access to information: Access Information [2].
Report: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Sponsor, manager or home institution: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
Primary purpose: To conduct a preliminary investigation for establishing a national quality registry for palliative care and end-of-life care in Finland.
Type of information: Information about the preliminary investigation for establishing a national quality registry for palliative care and end-of-life care in social and healthcare settings.
Data level: National level.
Access to information: Access Information [3].
Report: EU Country Cancer Profile 2023
Sponsor, manager or home institution: OECD and European Commission.
Primary purpose: To provide reliable data on cancer prevention and care, identifying trends, disparities, and inequalities among EU Member States and regions to guide interventions under Europe's Beating Cancer Plan.
Type of information: National cancer burden; Cancer incidence and mortality; Risk factors for cancer; Early detection programs (screenings); Cancer care performance, The impact of COVID-19 on cancer care.
Data level: National level.
Access to information: Access Information [4].
Compilation: ESMO Patient Guides
Sponsor, manager or home institution: European Society for Medical Oncology
Primary purpose: To translate complex medical language into understandable information for patients.
Available guides: Coping: A patient's guide.
Type of information: Information on each guide varies for each cancer type. Generally, guides provide definitions, explanations of causes, diagnosis, treatment, treatment options, care after treatment, among others.
Access to information: List of guides [5].
Patient Association: Finnish Prostate Cancer Association
Primary purpose: To support and advocate for prostate cancer patients and their families, offering information, counseling, and peer support while striving to improve their quality of life and treatment outcomes.
Contact information: Information [6].
Patient Association: Finnish Throat and Mouth Cancer Association
Primary purpose: To provide support, rehabilitation, and information to individuals with throat and mouth cancer and their families, including adaptation training, peer support, speech rehabilitation, and financial assistance.
Contact information: Information [7].
Patient Association: Colores, the Finnish Colorectal Cancer Association
Primary purpose: To provide support, information, and advocacy for colorectal cancer patients and their families, as well as to collaborate with healthcare organizations, promote preventive efforts, research, and improvements in the situation of colorectal cancer patients.
Contact information: Information [8].
Patient Association: Sylva Ry
Primary purpose: To provide practical information, support, a community of peers, and professional assistance to children, teenagers, young adults, and their loved ones affected by cancer, as well as to serve as an advocacy organization influencing policy and providing research information on the situation of cancer patients and their families.
Contact information: Information [9].
Patient Association: The Breast Cancer Association - Europa Donna Finland
Primary purpose: To enhance the well-being and quality of life, both physically and psychologically, for individuals affected by breast cancer, while providing information, advocacy, and support for breast cancer patients.
Contact information: Information [10].
Patient Association: Suomen Söpäpotilaat
Primary purpose: To advocate for the interests of cancer patients, secure support during treatment and rehabilitation, and reduce the societal impact of cancer while providing reliable information about cancer diseases and their treatment.
Contact information: Information [11].
