A mobile health bus will tour communities across Birmingham this summer, helping residents learn more about cancer symptoms and access vital checks closer to home.

The ‘cancer bus’ will start its tour during Cervical Screening Awareness Week (15–21 June), with a specialist mobile cervical screening unit joining it at selected stops, including its first visit.

The tour begins on Friday 19 June at the UKIM Sparkbrook Islamic Centre. Between 9.30am to 3.30pm, people will be able to speak directly with NHS staff and other health professionals, and also get free health checks, and, if eligible, take up cervical screening on the day.

Cervical screening is offered to women aged 25 to 64 every five years and plays a crucial role in preventing cancer. While it is not a test for cancer, it checks the health of cells in the cervix and can identify early changes before they develop into something more serious - giving people the chance to act early.

Information and advice on skin, bowel, breast, cervical, lung and other types of cancer will be available, with cancer experts from the NHS and partner organisations on hand.

The cancer bus tour and mobile cervical screening initiatives are being delivered through a partnership between NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB), NHS Black Country ICB, and the West Midlands Cancer Alliance, with support from a range of local and national partners, including Healthwatch and MacMillan Cancer Support.

During the last leg of the cancer bus tour in the Black Country, staff carried out more than 250 health checks over five days, with a number of people referred to their GP after possible signs and symptoms of cancer were identified.

Over June and July, the cancer bus will visit communities across Birmingham and Solihull, bringing essential advice, support and screening directly to the people who need it most.

  • Friday 19 June, 9.30am to 3.30pm
    • UKIM Sparkbrook Islamic Centre, 179 - 187 Anderton Road Sparkbrook, B11 1ND, with the cervical screening service
  • Saturday 20 June, 9.30am to 3.30pm
    • Unity Hubb Ward End, St Margaret’s Church. St Margaret’s Road Ward End, Birmingham B8 2BA, with the cervical screening service
  • Cancelled due to heatwave - Tuesday 23 June, 9.30am to 3.30pm
    • Bromford Bridge Church, 180 Bromford Drive, Birmingham, B36 8QS, with liver and cervical screening services
  • Saturday 27 June, 11am to 5pm
    • Holford Drive Community Sports Hub, Perry Barr 101 Holford Drive, Birmingham, B42 2TU
  • Sunday 19 July, 10am to 3pm
    • Ward End Fire Station, Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham, B8 2HF, with the cervical screening service
  • Saturday 25 July, 10am to 4pm
    • Hamstead Pavilion, Hamstead Hill, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, B20 1BX

Jo Tolley, Head of Programme - Cancer & Diagnostics, NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB and NHS Black Country ICB, said: “For the first time, we’re bringing two of our flagship initiatives together, with the cancer bus and mobile cervical screening unit visiting communities across Birmingham and Solihull throughout June and July.

“We know that conversations about cancer can sometimes feel uncomfortable, and may even be considered taboo by some. That’s why we’re committed to creating safe, accessible opportunities for people to talk openly with NHS staff and our partners about cancer, while also providing easy access to health checks and screening.

“Early diagnosis saves lives, and we’re determined to ensure that everyone in our communities can access the support they need - particularly in areas where uptake of health services is lower and cancer rates are higher.”

Harvir Singh, Senior Programme Manager for Early Diagnosis, West Midlands Cancer Alliance, said: “Anything we can do to make it easier for people to access support, heath checks and expert information will make a significant difference to those affected by cancer.

“The cancer bus tour allows people to access a range of resources, right in the heart of local communities, with the tour visiting everywhere from fire stations to churches.

“If you’re unsure about anything cancer-related, whether you’ve got a question about screening or they have concerns about possible symptoms, we would encourage you to visit the bus.”

Ian Sharp, Medical Advisor to the ICB, NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB and NHS Black Country ICB, said: “This is what care in our neighbourhoods looks like, and I’m proud that the NHS across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull is making healthcare more accessible, particularly when it comes to cancer.

“Cancer is one of our priority clinical areas, with a clear focus on earlier diagnosis and better access to care and support.

“Initiatives like the cancer bus and mobile cervical screening unit show how we are shifting more care from hospital into communities, with a stronger focus on prevention and earlier support. By helping people spot symptoms sooner, and making it easier to access advice, screening and follow-up, we can support earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.”

Visit our cancer screening page to learn more.