'NHS Bus-ting Cancer' Tour sees Stagecoach and NHS England join forces for cancer awareness

Stagecoach, the UK largest bus and coach operator, partnered with NHS England to provide a double decker bus to support the 'NHS Bus-Ting Cancer’ Tour. The tour comes as new survey data found that more than two in five people wouldn’t make a GP appointment if they noticed a change that they thought could be cancer. 

The survey of 2,000 adults also found a quarter would wait to see if a potential symptom gets better on its own or ignore it and hope it goes away. 

The ‘NHS Bus-ting Cancer Tour’ aims to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer. Encouraging people to contact their GP practice if they notice something in their body that doesn’t feel right, as early detection can save lives.  

The NHS-wrapped blue bus, which thousands of people also visited earlier this year, started its new tour in Grimsby on Monday 27 November, before heading to Coventry, Nottingham, Basildon and ending in Portsmouth on Friday 1 December. 

Dame Cally Palmer, NHS England National Cancer Director, said: “Our eye-catching NHS cancer bus is back touring the country to help raise awareness of cancer symptoms, and get people talking about their health, with teams of experts on hand to answer any questions. 

“While signs and symptoms vary for different cancers, there are common symptoms such as unexplained pain or discomfort for three weeks or more, an unexplained lump anywhere on the body or unexpected bleeding, and anyone experiencing any of these should not put off seeing their GP. 

“The NHS is determined to catch even more cancers at an early stage, because we know the earlier people are diagnosed, the more likely treatment is to be successful. So don’t carry the worry of cancer with you, if something in your body doesn’t feel right, please come forward.” 

Thanks to these awareness-raising campaigns, more people than ever before have had potentially lifesaving NHS cancer checks, with GPs referring over a quarter of a million (257,702) people for checks in September – an increase of 62,506 referrals compared to the same month before the pandemic – and more than 27,000 people started treatment for cancer in September. 

In the last year alone, staff have delivered nearly three million potentially lifesaving checks – over 600,000 more checks than in the same period before the pandemic. 

Claire Miles, Stagecoach CEO, said: “We are really proud to be supporting this great cause again and helping to raise more awareness in checking for the early signs of cancer. 

“Our services cover towns and cities right across the UK, so we were delighted to partner with the NHS in getting the message out to local communities. If we can prompt even one person to get checked by their GP, then it’s a worthwhile endeavour for us. 

“Our ‘Giving for Good’ charity committee has supported numerous campaigns and charities throughout the year and it is always a pleasure to see these ideas come to fruition to help more people, including our valued customers and employees.”