Scheme to tackle worrying low cancer screening rates in parts of Birmingham and Solihull to be rolled out again
An initiative to tackle worrying low cancer screening rates in parts of Birmingham and Solihull will be rolled out again next week.
The NHS ‘cancer bus’ will visit areas including Chelmsley Wood, Erdington and Northfield offering free health checks and cancer awareness information between September 8 to September 13.
People will be able to talk to cancer specialists and other health and care professionals about the importance of cancer screening, learn how to check themselves for different cancers, receive routine health and heart checks.
They can also speak to dedicated gambling, drugs and alcohol support services, and get advice to help quit smoking.
This is the forth bus tour since it was launched a year ago and, to date, around 850 residents have had health checks and 1,300 health information bags handed out.
Data has shown cancer screening is increasing but remains lower than national averages, including:
Cervical cancer screening rates for people with a cervix aged 25 – 49 have increased between 2022/23 and 2023/24 in Birmingham and Solihull from 60.8 per cent to 77.47 per cent against a national target of 80 per cent.
Cervical cancer screening rates for people with a cervix aged 50 – 64 have increased from 72.2 per cent to 83.54 per cent against, and above, a national target of 80 per cent.
Breast cancer screening rates for women aged 53 – 70 have increased from 59.4 per cent to 62.33 per cent against a national target of 70 per cent.
Bowel cancer screening rates for people aged 60 – 74 have reduced from 64.8 per cent to 62.91 per cent although remains above the national target of 60 per cent.
Dr Clara Day, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, said: “Increasing uptake of screening for cancer is one of our biggest priorities.
“The bus tour allows us to meet people where they are, in familiar and local community settings, and have important conversations about cancer screening and healthier lifestyles without the need for a hospital or GP visit.”
Jo Tolley, Head of Cancer and Diagnostics Delivery and Improvement at NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB added: “The fourth leg of the bus tour is bigger than ever, with new stops carefully chosen where we know uptake of cancer screening appointments is lower.
“By tailoring the services to different communities, we also have the opportunity to talk about wider health issues such as smoking, drug and alcohol addiction and diabetes.”
And Harvir Singh, Senior Programme Manager for Early Cancer Diagnosis at the West Midlands Cancer Alliance, said: “The tour is an innovative way of engaging people in their local communities, raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and encouraging screening uptake.
“It is also an opportunity to hear directly from local citizens the barriers they face when seeking help or attending screening appointments that can help us shape cancer services for the future.”
The bus will visit:
Birmingham Hippodrome – Monday, September 8, 9.30am – 3.30pm
Asda Chelmsley Wood – Tuesday, September 9, 9.30am – 3.30pm
Tesco New Oscott – Wednesday, September 10, 9.30am – 3.30pm
Sainsbury’s Northfield – Thursday, September 11, 9.30am – 3.30pm
Morrisons Small Heath – Friday, September 12, 9.30am – 3.30pm
Erdington High Street (near B&M) – Saturday, September 13, 9.30am – 3.30pm
