Research strategy

The Finnish Cancer Registry is the only research institute conducting epidemiological research on cancer and cancer screening in Finland.

The Finnish Cancer Registry provides information on cancer and its causes to promote public health and reduce cancer incidence and mortality. The Cancer Registry’s research also supports societal decision-making, such as creating the conditions for the best possible allocation of healthcare resources, taking costs into account as far as possible.

The Finnish Cancer Registry’s research strategy is guided by the Cancer Society of Finland’s (CSF) strategy, EU cancer plans and screening recommendations and societal megatrends. The CSF aims to strengthen cancer research and expertise, and equity and effectiveness in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Among the risk factors for cancer, tobacco remains central, but overweight and physical inactivity are growing risks.

Starting points and strengths

The Finnish Cancer Registry maintains a national database of cancer cases and national cervical and breast cancer databases. In 2022, the national screening programme for colorectal cancer and its data registration were launched. The strength of the Finnish Cancer Registry lies in its decades of comprehensive national cancer and cancer screening registry data, which can be linked to other comprehensive national registries. The Finnish Cancer Registry has extensive and active networks of expertise and research in the Nordic countries and elsewhere in Europe.

The Finnish Cancer Registry’s research topics include cancer burden, cancer screening, cancer prevention and prevention of cancer-related harm. The research focuses on important issues at a population level, and the results can be used to influence social policy and cost management.

Research priorities

  1. Development of monitoring: The Finnish Cancer Registry systematically collects, analyses and interprets cancer and cancer screening data. It is an active participant in joint Nordic cancer and screening statistics projects. Monitoring is being developed in new areas, such as inequalities and screening tests. New areas are emerging as the knowledge base of the registry expands, for example as a result of text search and the cancer quality registries survey carried out with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and national cancer centres. The monitoring of cancer risk factors and screening indicators will be developed in EU projects.
  2. Preventing cancer and cancer-related harms: The Finnish Cancer Registry investigates cancer risk factors and their role in cancer prevention. Research work focuses on lifestyle, occupational exposures and the links between comorbidities and cancer risk. Research will also examine patient survival, the incidence of new cancers and the late effects of cancer in childhood cancer survivors.
  3. Comprehensive assessment of cancer burden: The focus of cancer burden research is on the comprehensive assessment and forecasting of the burden of cancer within the population. The cancer burden will be examined across different population groups, including socio-economic status, ethnicity and region. The EU Joint Action Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases will forecast population proportions between 2024 and 2027, and research will gather data on the use of health services before and after cancer diagnosis.
  4. Evaluating and developing current cancer screening programmes: We will investigate how best to implement national cancer screening programmes. This requires a comprehensive assessment of the benefits and harms of screening. Before national implementation, new screening programmes and changes to existing screening programmes will be evaluated in pilot and modelling studies. Screening programmes will be developed in the Joint Action EUCanScreen project between 2024 and 2028. Our research will include studies on targeting screening on the basis of risk and the potential of technological developments to improve screening programmes, such as self-sampling for HPV screening and AI-based mammography image reading. We are also piloting lung cancer screening combined with smoking cessation support.
  5. Developing methods for epidemiological and statistical data analysis: We will develop cancer and cancer screening research methods and invest in efficient analytical methods. We will study the statistical properties of cancer burden indicators and develop versatile simulation models that replicate reality to evaluate cancer screening. We will extend the knowledge base through text mining and explore using AI to process large amounts of data.

Requirements for implementation

High-quality research is based on an appropriate framework and proficient staff. Appropriate working facilities and the latest equipment and software are essential for the smooth work of research staff.

Researchers’ expertise is based on actively following research in their field and training, including participation in conferences and seminars. The Finnish Cancer Registry will continue with its open, experimental and flexible approach, allowing time for reflection and encouraging experimentation. The Finnish Cancer Registry will attract and commit to mentoring thesis authors. Transparency and data protection are key principles in all its research activities.