Our cancer bus tour is coming to an area near you
Early diagnosis of cancer is vital; detecting a problem early on can mean that treatment is more effective.
Cancer experts will be visiting locations across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull on a bus dedicated to providing health checks and important screening information about cancer.
The bus aims to give our local communities the opportunity to not only catch any warning signs of cancer as early as possible, but it will also be a chance for people to talk to a host of professionals, from the NHS to MacMillan Cancer Support and Diabetes UK.
At the cancer bus, NHS staff and our partners will share signs to look out for, how to live the healthiest possible life and signpost you to useful services.
Cancer bus tour dates and locations
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 17 April | 9.30am - 3.30pm | Morrisons Small Heath, 280 Coventry Road Small Heath, Birmingham, B10 0XA |
| Saturday 18 April | 9.30am - 3.30pm | Mell Square, 40-42 Drury Lane, Mell Square, Solihull, B91 3BG |
| Sunday 19 April | 9.30am - 3.30pm | Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan, 1 Union Row, Birmingham, B21 9EN |
| Monday 20 April | 9.30am - 3.30pm | Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB |
| Tuesday 21 April | 9.30am - 3.30pm | Bromford Bridge Church, 180 Bromford Drive, Birmingham, B36 8QS |
| Date | Time | Location | What's on offer? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 5 May | 10am - 4pm | Stafford Street Car Park, Dudley. DY1 1SB. | Screening, signs and symptoms awareness |
| Wednesday 6 May | 10am - 4pm | Queen Square, Wolverhampton. WV1 1TX. | Screening, signs and symptoms awareness and skin clinic |
| Thursday 7 May | 10am - 4pm | Sainsburys Reedswood, Walsall. WS2 8XA. | Screening, signs and symptoms awareness with a focus on mens health (including Prostrate health) |
| Friday 8 May | 10am - 4pm | New Square Shopping Centre, West Bromwich. B70 7PP. | Screening, signs and symptoms awareness with a focus on lung cancer, screening and vaping |
| Saturday 9 May | 10am - 4pm | Merry Hill Shopping Centre (outside M&S/Argos). DY5 1QZ. | Screening, signs and symptoms awareness with a focus on womens health |
About cancer
Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs. It sometimes begins in one part of the body before spreading to other areas. This process is known as metastasis.
One in two people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. In the Black Country, the most common types of cancer are:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Bowel cancer
- Skin cancer
In the Black Country we have specific actions to reduce health inequalities through our Core20Plus5 work. Half of the population of the Black Country are identified as in the most deprived 20% areas. For cancer this means that we are working towards earlier cancer diagnosis, with 75% of cases diagnosed at Stage 1 or 2 by 2028.
There are more than 200 different types of cancer, and each is diagnosed and treated in a particular way. Making some simple changes to your lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer such as:
- healthy eating
- taking regular exercise
- not smoking
Contact your GP practice if you experience any of the below symptoms:
- tummy trouble, such as discomfort or diarrhoea for three weeks or more
- blood in your pee even just once
- unexpected or unexplained bleeding
- unexplained pain that lasts three weeks or more
- an unexplained lump
- a cough for three weeks or more (that isn’t COVID 19).
Not all the symptoms of cancer are easy to spot. Contact your GP practice if you experience one or more of these symptoms, for three weeks or more:
- unexplained weight loss
- feeling tired and unwell and not sure why
- heartburn or indigestion
- unusual, pale or greasy poo.
Your GP may refer you for tests to rule out cancer. Most people who go for tests find out it’s not cancer. Finding out sooner is always better. Whatever the result, your NHS is here for you.
Read more about the signs and symptoms of cancer and what to do from nhs.uk
Screening programmes detect cancer early
Screening is the process of identifying healthy people who may have an increased chance of a disease or condition. If detected early its easier to treat. For more information, check out this screening timeline leaflet .
If you are eligible you will get information through the post for these three cancer screening programmes:
Living with and beyond cancer
Living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) is a program of care for cancer patients in the UK. It helps them from diagnosis to recovery. Find out about support that is offered.
Raising cancer awareness within our communities
Macmillan and Black Country Integrated Care Board are working alongside community groups to raise awareness around cancer. Read about what we are doing across the Black Country area.
