Colorectal cancer screening
Detected early, treated more easily.
Why screening matters
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Finland. Over 3,500 people are diagnosed with it each year, and around 1,300 die from it annually. The aim of screening is to detect cancer as early as possible, making treatment significantly easier and outcomes more successful.
In its early stages, colorectal cancer often presents no symptoms at all or only vague ones. Screening can also reveal precancerous changes, which, if removed, can prevent colorectal cancer from developing. Current knowledge suggests that screening can prevent approximately one in six colorectal cancer deaths. When detected early, treatment is usually simpler: less invasive surgery, no stoma, and no chemotherapy.
Screening is part of your local wellbeing services county’s healthcare. The screening examination is voluntary and free of charge.
Who is it for?
In 2025, individuals turning 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 and 72 will be invited to take part in colorectal cancer screening (see age groups in this image).
Invitation to screening
Fimlab sends out screening invitations according to birth months. Those born in spring will receive their invitation during the spring, summer-born individuals during the summer, and those born in autumn or later in the year by the end of November. In the future, screening will be expanded to include everyone aged 56 to 74.
You will receive a personal invitation letter from Fimlab for colorectal cancer screening every two years. Screening must be repeated regularly, as the examination only reflects your current condition.
If you have an active non-disclosure for personal safety reasons (turvakielto), Fimlab cannot send you a screening invitation. Please contact our customer service to ensure you can participate in the screening.
How is colorectal cancer screened?
Colorectal cancer screening uses the FIT test, which detects hidden blood in the stool. You take the sample yourself at home and return it by post to the laboratory.
Follow these steps when you receive an invitation:
- With the screening invitation, you will receive a sample collection kit and detailed instructions for taking the sample (See the instructions or the sample collection video).
- Fill in the preliminary information form included with the screening invitation.
- Read the sample collection instructions carefully and watch the instruction video of sampling.
- Take the sample according to the instructions and place it in the return envelope.
- Post the return envelope within 24 hours (postage is prepaid).
- The Fimlab screening centre will analyse the sample.
Examination results
You will receive the result from Fimlab within approximately one month after posting your sample to the laboratory. The result will primarily be delivered electronically, either via the Suomi.fi or OmaPosti messaging service (read more about digital messages). If you have not yet activated electronic services, the result will be sent to your home address as a paper letter.
The screening result will not be transferred to the Kanta services.
A normal result means that no blood was detected in your sample and there is no need for further examination.
A positive result, on the other hand, means that blood was found in the screening sample. This is not necessarily a sign of cancer, but further examination is needed to determine the cause.
More than 90% of screening results are normal, meaning no blood is detected in the sample.
Contact information for screening customers
If you have questions about the schedule of the screening invitation or the result, please contact Fimlab’s customer advice service.
If you would like more information about the content of your screening result or other matters related to the screening process in your home municipality (e.g. follow-up care), please contact your local health centre or the designated screening contact person in your municipality:
Data collection to the Finnish Cancer Registry’s Mass Screening Registry
* The Mass Screening Registry maintained by the Cancer Society of Finland holds information on individuals invited to screening. Based on this data, Fimlab sends screening invitations to eligible participants.
Fimlab provides a summary of the colorectal cancer screening examinations it has conducted to the Mass Screening Registry of the Finnish Cancer Registry. The registry collects data on mass screening activities across Finland. The data collection is based on legislation.
In addition, a summary of the screening examinations is sent to the municipality that ordered the service (individual examination results are not included in the summary provided to municipalities).
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want more information about your results or other matters related to screening in the municipality of your residence, you can contact your health centre or the contact person in the municipality of your residence.
Cervical cancer screening
Read more:
Colorectal cancer screening:
Read more:
