Cervical cancer screening programme in Finland

Abstract 

In Finland, the organised screening programme for the prevention of cervical cancer has been run for over 30 years and has contributed to a 70–80% decrease in the age-adjusted cervical cancer incidence, as well as a reduction in mortality rates. In this article, we describe the operational details of the organised programme — how the target population is defined, how the invitations are done, how smear tests are collected and analysed, how referrals to confirmation and treatment are conducted, and we also provide recent data on the extent and main screening results. The Finnish programme has led to net savings when assessed for its cost-effectiveness. The results encourage the continuation of the screening programme. By introducing modern screening technologies and more systematic quality control activities in the programme, and by expanding the coverage and compliance we expect to further increase the impact of the programme.

Keywords:  Cervical cancer, Incidence, Mortality, Organised screening, Effectiveness, Quality assurance, Quality control