Annex 3: Summary of the Committee's Visit
to Helsinki
6th and 7th June 2000
HELSINKI
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in
Finland, although mortality rates are lower than in many other
parts of Europe. Incidence follows a typical western European
pattern with prostate cancer being the most common cancer in men
and breast cancer in women. Incidence rates in the male population
are virtually stable but incidence in women has seen a slight
increase in recent decades. Five year survival rates are improving
and total cancer mortality decreasing. There is a high degree
of regional equity in terms of incidence, healthcare and survival
and some differences in incidence and survival across different
social classes. National population screening programmes exist
for cervical and breast cancer and there is an active, population-based
cancer registry. There is a strong and active National Cancer
Society in Finland which works in close co-operation with the
Finnish Government and similar organisations in other Nordic countries.
Tuesday 6th June 2000
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Meeting with Dr Kimmo Leppo, Director General, Department
of Social and Health Services.
Topics discussed:
The work of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
and, in particular, the work of the Department of Social and Health
Services; the rôle of expert institutions such as the National
Research and Development Council for Health and the Finnish Academy;
Cancer Registries; the Finnish Healthcare system; the organisation
of cancer services and clinical practice guidelines; cancer incidence
and risk factors.
The Cancer Society of Finland and the Finnish
Cancer Registry
Meeting with Dr Liisa Elovainio, Secretary General,
and Dr Matti Rautalahti, Chief Medical Officer, The Cancer Society
of Finland; Professor Lyly Teppo, Director of the Finnish Cancer
Registry.
Topics discussed:
The organisation of cancer services and public involvement;
the work of the Cancer Society of Finland and its relationship
with Government; funding the Cancer Society of Finland; statutory
registration, data protection and cancer registries; national
screening programmes; the provision of palliative care; cancer
incidence, mortality and survival trends in Finland; smoking;
public health promotion; the rôle of the pharmaceutical
industry in research related to cancer.
Wednesday 7th June 2000
Helsinki University Central Hospital
Meetings with Professor Heikki Jeonsuu and Dr Tom
Wiklund, Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital,
followed by a tour of hospital care and research facilities.
Topics discussed:
Helsinki university hospital; oncology professionals;
cancer incidence rates and reasons for declining mortality rates;
experimental combinational therapies; screening programmes; paying
for expensive drugs and other treatments; research and clinical
trials at Helsinki university hospital; funding for research;
primary care; 3D-CRT and IMRT.
National Public Health Institute
Meeting with Mr Jussi Huttunen, Director General,
National Public Health Institute.
Topics discussed:
The rôle and organisation of the National Public
Health Institute; relationships with the United States' National
Institutes of Health; clinical trials; health promotion; cancer
and sociol-economic conditions; primary care.
The Academy of Finland
Meeting with Professor Reijo Vihko, President, and
Dr Karjalainen, The Academy of Finland
Topics discussed:
Research funding in Finland; science and research
policy making; support for postgraduate and postdoctoral research;
research careers; cancer survival rates and patterns; importance
of public health research.
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