Lung Cancer Europe shared on LinkedIn:
“How long does it take for someone with lung cancer to receive treatment after their first symptoms?
A new investigation by Finnish public broadcaster Yle has highlighted substantial differences between three Nordic countries, drawing on preliminary findings from ongoing research into lung cancer care.
The reported average time from first symptoms to treatment was:
- Finland: 155 days
- Sweden: 107 days
- Denmark: 67 days
That’s a difference of almost three months between Finland and Denmark.
Importantly, these figures cover the entire period from the first symptoms to the start of treatment.
They’re not simply a measure of hospital waiting times.
The Finnish research is ongoing, and the findings haven’t yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. They should therefore be treated as preliminary rather than definitive national comparisons.
The investigation also highlights concerns about how lung cancer care is monitored in Finland, including the absence of a national cancer quality registry that could help identify delays and differences in outcomes.
Cancer organisations in Finland are calling for improvements to diagnostic pathways, looking at approaches used in neighbouring Denmark.
Delays can mean prolonged uncertainty for people with lung cancer at an already difficult time.
Timely investigation, diagnosis and access to appropriate treatment are essential parts of good cancer care.
We must identify where delays occur and ensure people receive timely lung cancer care, regardless of where they live.
Source: Yle News, 12 October 2026.
Read further here.”
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