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Cancer patients in Finland die sooner compared to other Nordic countries, according to the findings of a probe by Yle's investigative journalism unit MOT.

In its latest episode, Elämäni hinta (The Price of My Life), MOT found that for male-specific cancers, Finnish patients' treatment rates rank the lowest in the Nordic region for around 20 types of cancer.

Outcomes for female-specific cancers are somewhat better, but Finland still ranks last in several categories.

The findings are based on the Nordcan database, which compiles cancer statistics from the Nordic countries. The projections estimate how many patients are still alive five years after diagnosis.

Finland does perform well in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer, but outcomes for lung cancer are significantly weaker than elsewhere in the Nordic region. For Finnish men, colon and rectal cancer survival rates are the lowest among the Nordic countries.

The situation is "alarming", according to Antti Jekunen, professor of clinical oncology at the University of Turku and Chief Physician of oncology at the Ostrobothnia Wellbeing Services County.

Studies point to several problems

The reasons Finland falls behind other Nordic countries has not been extensively studied, and the exact reasons are unclear.

However, University of Helsinki research suggests that Finns can be comparatively slow to seek medical attention. In addition, imaging tests are also carried out less frequently in the early stages of treatment than in other countries.

A recent doctoral dissertation from the University of Eastern Finland found that lung cancer in Finland is more often diagnosed only after the disease has spread. This may be a major factor behind poorer outcomes, as surgery is often no longer possible by that stage.

Doctors have also discussed whether Finnish patients delay seeking treatment longer than in other Nordic countries, but this is difficult to prove scientifically, said Maria Silvoniemi, a pulmonary diseases specialist at Turku University Hospital.

If diagnosis and treatment are delayed for longer periods, the cancer is more likely to spread and the prognosis to worsen.

Access to medicines

Both Jekunen and Silvoniemi noted that new immuno-oncology drugs are used less in Finland than in many other European countries, which may also affect outcomes.

However, the medicines are expensive, with treatment for a single patient potentially costing more than 100,000 euros — depending on how long it is used.

Jekunen believes these costs may influence the decisions made by cancer doctors on the use of specific medicines.

Debate over the value of treatment

Last year, Finland published a national cancer strategy aimed at improving the availability and quality of treatment nationwide.

Jekunen said Finland should define how much society is willing to pay for an additional year of a cancer patient's life, rather than leaving such decisions to doctors.

"My recommendation is that such calculations should be made for the most common cancers. It is politically difficult, but I think it should be done," he added.

Silvoniemi stated that Finland should hold a broader public discussion on how cancer patients are treated.

"If we decide that patients need to be treated a little worse here than in other countries, a higher authority must decide that. It must also be said publicly," she said.

Patient responsibility also highlighted

In an email to MOT, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health directors Eveliina Pöyhönen and Tuula Helander acknowledged that waiting times in Finnish primary healthcare are long, even by international standards.

They also emphasised an individual's responsibility to seek treatment promptly and reduce their own risk of illness.

The ministry further noted that Finland has launched a new national programme aimed at reducing the burden of common diseases with examples including encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.