The age groups that are within the scope of colorectal cancer screening are sent a personal invitation for screening by letter every two years. The screening is free of charge and voluntary, and it does not require an appointment.
If you experience any new problems with your bowel function, please contact a doctor. Do not wait for a screening invitation.
The screening test is carried out by the HUS Diagnostic Center.
Why should I participate in the screening?
In the early stages, symptoms of colorectal cancer can be vague or entirely absent. The purpose of colorectal cancer screening is to detect cancer at an early stage, when it is easier to treat successfully.
How is the screening performed?
The screening is based on a test that detects hidden (occult) blood in a stool sample. Along with your invitation letter, you will receive a sampling kit and detailed instructions on how to take the sample.
The stool sample is taken when using the toilet and sent back to the laboratory for analysis. The package includes a pre-paid return envelope.
Getting the results
If the result is positive, you will be contacted by a nurse (screening nurse) from the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic in Helsinki. The call will come from the City of Helsinki Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic's number.
You will also receive a letter if your test result is positive. If you receive a letter before the screening nurse has called you, you can contact the City of Helsinki screening nurses on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8.00 and 14.00, tel. +358 (0)9 3104 7692. Listen to the recorded message and select 3 for "colorectal cancer screening". If you have already spoken to the screening nurse on the phone and been given a pre-screening interview, you will not need to be contacted again when you receive a letter about a positive test result.
For a negative test result, you will only receive a letter response. A negative test result does not require any further action.
What if there are abnormal findings?
If blood is detected in the stool, the letter response will include instructions for arranging further examinations. The presence of blood does not necessarily indicate cancer, but further investigation is needed to determine the cause. The most common follow-up examination is a colonoscopy, meaning an endoscopic examination of the large intestine.
What can cause a positive result?
A positive result does not necessarily mean cancer. Bleeding is often caused by other things, such as haemorrhoids. The screening nurse will assess the need for further examinations over the phone.
Before the screening nurse’s phone interview, you may want to check and have ready any information about your previous colonoscopy examinations and surgeries, as well as your current medication.
Also, please check in advance in MyKanta that you have given consent to release your patient information necessary for your treatment to the health care professionals involved in your care. If you have given consent for information release in 2023 or earlier, it is advisable to update it in MyKanta. You can check your consent status in MyKanta under the section "Tietojen käytön hallinta".
Go to MyKanta(Link leads to external service)
Did you not receive an invitation?
Check whether you are in the age group invited for screening: When will my age group be screened? (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
If you have obtained an order of non-disclosure for personal safety reasons, you will not receive an invitation for the screening. In that case, book a screening appointment yourself.
In some cases, you may not receive the invitation if you have moved and your details in the Population Information System have not yet been updated. Invitations are sent throughout the year. If you have not received an invitation by the end of the year, please book a screening appointment yourself by contacting the customer service of HUS laboratories.
Customer service contact details (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
How to take part in colorectal cancer screening
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You will receive a personal invitation for the screening by post
- If you belong to the age group being screened, you will receive an invitation for colorectal cancer screening by post at your home address. When will your age group be screened? (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
- The invitation letter includes a sampling kit for collecting a sample, along with a pre-paid cardboard return envelope.
- You should take part in the screening as soon as you have received the invitation.
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Fill in the preliminary information form
- Once you have received an invitation for colorectal cancer screening, we recommend that you fill in your preliminary information related to the screening online.
- To complete the form, you will need your sample ID, which you can find in your invitation letter.
- Fill in the preliminary information form (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
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Collect the sample
- You take the colorectal cancer screening sample at home by lightly rolling the testing stick in your stool. Along with your invitation letter, you will receive detailed instructions on how to collect the sample. Follow the instructions carefully.
- You do not need to fast or stop any of your medications before taking the sample. You can collect the sample at any time of the day.
- Store the sample tube at room temperature.
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Return the sample by post or bring it to the laboratory
- Return the sample as soon as possible after collecting it.
- Return the sample in the cardboard envelope by bringing it to a return box in a HUS laboratory, or by mailing it no later than the next day after the sample is taken.
- All HUS laboratories have a return machine or a return box marked with the text “Colorectal cancer screening” (Suolistosyöpäseulonta) for receiving samples. You do not need to book an appointment to deliver the sample to the laboratory. Contact details for HUS laboratories (HUS)(Link leads to external service)
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You will get the result in about a month
- You will receive the result of your colorectal cancer screening by letter at your home address within approximately one month of the date your sample is received for testing. Laboratory test results will not be given out over the phone.
- A negative or normal result means that no blood was detected in your sample.
- A positive result means that blood was detected in your sample. Blood in the stool does not necessarily signify colorectal cancer or its precursors. However, the cause needs to be determined through further examinations. You will receive more information about them in the response letter.