Screening tests

Screening examinations are organised for different types of cancer according to the national screening programme. The service is mainly purchased. You will receive an invitation for cancer screenings at your home address. The maternity clinic will provide you with a referral for screening during pregnancy.

Women aged 35, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 will be invited for cervical cancer screening (HPV, pap). Women aged between 50 and 68 will be invited for breast cancer screening every two years. All persons aged 60, 62, 64, 66 and 68 will be invited for colorectal cancer screening. In the future, as the colorectal cancer screening is expanded, all people aged between 56 and 74 will be invited for the screening.

Antenatal screening is provided for pregnant women, and everyone is entitled to two ultrasound examinations. The first ultrasound examination will be during early pregnancy and another in the middle stage. The early pregnancy ultrasound examination can be combined with the measuring of nuchal fold thickness and a blood sample, related to the screening for chromosomal abnormalities.

The wellbeing services county of Southwest Finland offers this service starting from 1 January 2023.

Requirements

Taking part in screenings is voluntary and free of charge.

User instruction

If you are in the screening group, you will be invited to the cancer screening via mail. The invitation includes specific instructions regarding participating the screening.

If you have a non-disclosure for personal safety, the invitation cannot be sent to your home address. In that case, you must contact the service provider.

An expectant mother will get a referral and instructions for making an appointment for statutory antenatal screenings from the maternity clinic.