Residents in West Bromwich are being urged to hop on board a special red bus offering advice on vaping, smoking, lung health and cancer screening, alongside free health checks. People can visit the bus when it stops at New Square Shopping Centre on Friday 8 May, between 10am and 4pm, where they can speak directly to NHS and other health professionals in a relaxed and accessible setting.
The bus is an initiative being run in partnership between the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board and NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board cluster, and the West Midlands Cancer Alliance. It is touring communities across the Black Country until Saturday 9 May before heading to community venues in Birmingham and Solihull in June, July and September. Its aim is to help more people take up cancer screening, spot possible signs and symptoms of cancer earlier, and access trusted health advice closer to home.
The bus at West Bromwich will have a particular focus on lung health, smoking and vaping, with the Sandwell Council’s public health team, Sandwell Community Connectors and lung screening teams on board.
Lesley Thorpe, Cancer Engagement Lead for NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “Cancer screening saves lives, but we know not everyone takes up their screening invitation or feels confident asking questions about screening. “The Cancer Bus Tour is about taking trusted NHS advice, free health checks and screening information directly into local communities, so people can speak to health professionals in a familiar and accessible setting. The West Bromwich tour date has a particular focus on lung health, smoking and vaping, which are important issues for many people and families locally. Whether someone smokes, vapes, has questions about lung screening, has missed a screening invitation, wants a free health check, or simply wants to know more about possible signs and symptoms of cancer, we would encourage them to come along and speak to the team.”
Harvir Singh, Senior Programme Manager for Early Diagnosis, West Midlands Cancer Alliance, said: “The West Midlands Cancer Alliance is pleased to continue supporting the Cancer Bus Tour, which has become a core part of our Early Diagnosis programme, as it helps bring screening advice, health checks and cancer awareness directly into local communities. Improving cancer screening uptake is a key part of supporting earlier diagnosis. By working with NHS teams and community partners, we can make it easier for people to access trusted information, ask questions and understand what support is available. We would encourage anyone who is unsure about screening, has missed an invitation, or has concerns about possible cancer symptoms to visit the bus and speak to the team.”
Dr Frances Howie, Director of Public Health at Sandwell Council, said: “Spotting signs and symptoms and making sure you attend cancer screening appointments are really important. Our public health team is joining the Cancer Bus Tour in West Bromwich to talk to local people about lung health, smoking, vaping and screening. Stopping smoking is one of the best things people can do for their health, and we know many people also have questions about vaping. The bus gives people the chance to get advice in a friendly, informal environment, find out what support is available locally, and to sign up for help to quit.”
No appointment is needed to visit the bus and all tour dates and locations are online.
