A cancer awareness bus offering free advice, information and health checks will visit Stone later this spring as part of a countywide NHS tour.
The Cancer Awareness Bus Tour launches its 2026 programme on Wednesday 4 February, World Cancer Day, starting in Cannock town centre before travelling to communities across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent during March and April.
The bus is run by NHS Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Integrated Care Board and aims to help people recognise possible cancer symptoms, understand screening programmes and feel more confident about speaking to their GP.
Last year, more than 5,800 people stepped on board to speak with NHS staff, ask questions and access on the spot support.
Jodie Furby, Cancer Service Improvement Manager for the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Integrated Care Board, said the bus had already played a direct role in helping people seek medical advice earlier.
She said,
“Last year, the team spoke to a young lady who had ‘red flag’ symptoms of breast cancer, but she was unaware of these warning signs and didn’t want to bother her GP.
“After speaking to the team on the bus, she assured us that she would book a GP appointment and understood the importance of checking things which are not normal.”
Ms Furby said the team were later approached by a family member during the final week of the tour.
“The next month, on our final week of the tour, we were approached by a family member of the lady who told us that her niece had gone to the GP practice as promised and was subsequently referred onto the Urgent Suspected Cancer Pathway and was very recently diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
“Both women wanted to thank the team for their kindness, expertise and understanding and said if we were not there that day, she wouldn’t have gone to the GP and wouldn’t have been diagnosed early.”
What the bus offers
The Cancer Awareness Bus provides a relaxed, informal space where people can speak confidentially with trained staff. No appointment is needed and visitors do not need to have symptoms to attend.
Those who step on board can find out about common cancer symptoms, learn what is normal for their own body and understand who may be eligible for NHS screening programmes. Free health checks are also available at most locations.
Staff are available simply to chat, answer questions and provide trusted NHS information, with no pressure to take further action.
The bus will be open from 9am to 4pm at each stop.
When it will be in Stone
The tour will visit Stone on Monday 23 March.
The bus will be parked in the Market Square, near the library, on the High Street, Stone, ST15 8AT.
Anyone passing by is welcome to drop in, pick up information or speak with the NHS cancer team.
A full timetable of dates and locations across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent is available via the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Integrated Care Board website. https://staffsstokeics.org.uk/cancer-awareness-bus-tour/
