West Midlands Cancer Alliance

28/10/2025

🌟 Spotlight on Community Awareness Projects – Tackling Cancer Inequalities Across the West Midlands 🌟

The West Midlands Cancer Alliance is proud to fund 17 grassroots community projects across the region. 💜

These initiatives are part of our commitment to reducing health inequalities and ensuring every community – especially those historically underrepresented – has access to cancer information and support. By empowering local organisations, we enable trusted voices to lead change, shape awareness, and improve early diagnosis.

“We are proud to support projects that co-produce initiatives addressing health inequalities within our Black communities. The West Midlands is one of the most diverse regions in the country, and it is vital that our work reflects the needs of all communities. Through these projects, we aim to strengthen grassroots engagement and build meaningful partnerships, particularly in areas where uptake of cancer services has historically been lower.”
Harvir Singh, Senior Programme Manager, Early Cancer Diagnosis.

👥 Here’s what some Integrated Care Boards and community organisations have to say:

“We are truly grateful to the West Midlands Cancer Alliance for supporting our work. This funding has enabled Dorcas UK to raise vital awareness within the Black community, helping people feel empowered to talk about their health and access support earlier. By allowing communities to lead, this partnership ensures messages are shaped by lived experience and cultural understanding. Together, we are building trust, breaking down barriers, and creating lasting change.”
Tricia McCallum, FGM Safeguarding Lead, Dorcas UK

“The Alliance’s funding has been invaluable in helping us take cancer awareness directly into our communities. Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB’s Cancer Team used funds to create monthly campaigns, empowering local people to lead conversations about cancer, break down stigma, and reach groups who may otherwise miss out on vital information. These changes will improve early diagnosis and reduce health inequalities.”
Jodie Furby, Cancer Service Improvement Manager

“Community-led projects are fundamental in driving change. Those impacted by challenges are often best positioned to find solutions. By funding grassroots organisations, we help empower local communities with the resources they need, creating stronger, resilient communities and cultural understanding with a collective purpose.”
Kafilla Munir, Cancer Partnership Improvement Manager, Birmingham and Solihull ICB

As Black History Month ends, we’re reminded that recognising, celebrating, and supporting our Black communities must continue all year. These projects show how partnership, representation, and community leadership can tackle inequalities and create lasting change.

21/10/2025

Black History Month Spotlight:

Black Women & Breast Cancer
This , we’re shining a light on the experiences of Black women and breast cancer — and the urgent need for greater awareness, earlier diagnosis, and culturally sensitive care.
Black women are often diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age and with more aggressive types of the disease. Yet too many face delays in diagnosis and barriers to accessing the right support.

✨ Tamara’s Story
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Tamara found strength and sisterhood through Black Women Rising — a UK charity creating safe spaces for Black women to share, heal, and be heard. You can learn more about their inspiring work and support their mission at https://blackwomenrisinguk.org/

For Healthcare Professionals
To help address these inequalities, the RCGP eLearning course https://wmcanceralliance.nhs.uk/cancer-academy/upcoming-training explores:
• The experiences of Black women with breast cancer
• Key risk factors and diagnostic challenges
• Cultural and social barriers to care
• Real case studies to help Healthcare Professionals deliver more equitable, compassionate support

🩷 Let’s work together to ensure that every woman — no matter her background — receives the timely, respectful, and effective care she deserves.

13/10/2025

🖤 As we honor Black History Month, it’s important not only to reflect on the legacy, resilience, and achievements of the Black community, but also to shine a light on health issues that disproportionately impact us. One of those is prostate cancer – a disease that affects Black men at higher rates and often with more severe outcomes. By raising awareness this month, we not only celebrate our history, but also protect our future, reminding one another that knowledge, early detection, and support can save lives.

My name is Michael Lewis from Dudley. In 2019, a close friend from church was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer. Sadly, he passed away within months. His story saved my life – it pushed me to visit my GP for a PSA blood test.
I had no symptoms, but my test revealed prostate cancer at an early stage. Six years later, after regular monitoring, I underwent surgery in October 2024 following rising PSA results. Thankfully, the cancer had not spread, and I am now recovering well.

👉🏾 Did you know? Black men are twice as likely as white men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Too many of us don’t get checked until it’s too late.

I’m now proud to be working with West Midlands Cancer Alliance as a Patient Advocate, supporting the upcoming Prostate Cancer in Black Men Toolkit, launching later this year.
Men – please don’t leave it to chance. Get checked. Your life could depend on it.
You can read my full story here: https://www.voice-online.co.uk/sponsored-2/2025/08/12/a-story-shared-at-church-saved-my-life-we-must-speak-up-about-prostate-cancer/

07/10/2025

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are more than 200 different types of cancer, and each is diagnosed and treated in a particular way. Breast cancer is cancer that's found in the breasts. It's the most common type of cancer in women in the UK. Anyone can get breast cancer.

If you are concerned about any of the symptoms mentioned, please do make an appointment with your GP. For more information about breast cancer in women, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-women/

06/10/2025

As Black History Month begins, it’s a vital time to reflect not only on history and achievements, but also on the urgent health inequalities that continue to affect Black communities today. One significant area of concern is cancer, and that’s why Prostate Cancer UK and West Midlands Cancer Alliance are joining forces to champion Black health equity.

The West Midlands has some of the poorest health outcomes in the country: higher rates of preventable deaths from conditions such as cardiovascular disease, and cancer, within the context of deep socioeconomic inequalities.
When it comes to prostate cancer specifically, the picture is especially concerning. The region has the second largest Black population in England and is seeing higher rates of late-stage diagnoses. This matters because Black men are already at increased risk of developing prostate cancer, making awareness in the population and early detection critical.

To tackle this head-on, Prostate Cancer UK and West Midlands Cancer Alliance have launched a pilot programme designed to address these inequalities. The first stage is an in-depth audit which will explore questions such as:
• Where do Black men in the West Midlands currently go for information about prostate cancer?
• What are their experiences navigating the healthcare system?
• What barriers to early diagnosis are faced by both Black men and the healthcare professionals who support them?
We’re excited to begin this work and to share early insights as they emerge – so watch this space 👀.

If you’re based in the West Midlands and would like to get involved in the audit or simply learn more about the pilot, please get in touch. Together, we can raise awareness, close gaps, and create meaningful change for Black men’s health.

"This year’s BHM theme resonates deeply with Prostate Cancer UK. We have been championing Black health equity by raising awareness of Black men’s higher risk of prostate cancer and standing with Black communities to advocate for critical changes to outdated NHS prostate cancer guidance. We are proud of the powerful partnerships we have created in the last year, including with West Midlands Cancer Alliance. Together we are working with communities, community organisations and the healthcare system to stop Black men in the West Midlands from being diagnosed late.”
Keith Morgan, Associate Director of Black health equity
Prostate Cancer UK

01/10/2025

🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a time to come together, raise awareness, and remind one another of the importance of early detection.

💡 Remember: checking yourself regularly and attending your NHS screening when invited could save your life. If you notice any changes in your breasts, chest, or underarm area, don’t delay – speak to your GP.
Together, we can spread the word and make a difference. 💕

15/09/2025

This week, the Cancer Awareness Bus tour is calling at stops across the Black Country 🚍💛

Hop on board to learn more about screening and to talk to a range of clinicians, Community Cancer Champions and cancer nurses about any questions you may have.

📅 Your bus timetable is below:

📍Mon 15 Sept (10am – 4pm), Park Street, Walsall Town Centre

📍 Tues 16 Sept (10am – 4pm), The Fountain, Dudley High Street

📍 Wed 17 Sept (10am – 4pm), Queen Square, Wolverhampton

📍 Thurs 18 Sept (10am – 4pm), Outside Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick High Street

📍 Fri 19 Sept (10am – 4pm), Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Dudley

Learn more about the Autumn Cancer Screening Bus tour 👉 https://wmcanceralliance.nhs.uk/about-us/news/2651-all-aboard-cancer-awareness-bus-back-on-the-road

NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board

09/09/2025

ℹ️ Residents are being invited to come along and find out about cancer services when the Black Country Integrated Care System cancer bus calls at Queen Square, Wolverhampton, next Wednesday (17 September).

Staff from the council's public health team and NHS staff from across the Black Country will be available between 10am and 4pm to speak to members of the public while representatives of Macmillan Cancer Support will be on hand offering help and advice for people living with, and beyond, cancer.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: "This is part of a series of events taking place across the Black Country throughout the week, and I would encourage anyone who has any questions about the signs and symptoms of cancer, screening, diagnosis and treatment to come along to speak to our friendly staff."

Read the full story by clicking the link in the comments below 👇

09/09/2025

The Autumn leg of the Cancer Awareness Bus tour is in full swing 🍂🧡🚍

This year, hundreds of residents have benefitted from free health checks and life-saving conversations around spotting the early signs and symptoms of cancer.

No appointment is necessary - simply drop in to any of the five remaining community locations across Birmingham and Solihull listed below. The team are on board, and ready to talk, between 9:30am - 3:30pm each day.

Find out more about the cancer bus 👉 https://wmcanceralliance.nhs.uk/about-us/news/2651-all-aboard-cancer-awareness-bus-back-on-the-road

NHS Birmingham and Solihull

07/09/2025

This is your friendly reminder that the Birmingham and Solihull leg of the Cancer Awareness Bus officially starts tomorrow! ⏰️

If you're in Birmingham City Centre, hop on board for a free health check, advice about what support is available for you and loved ones, and life-saving information about screening.

📍 Monday 8 September, Birmingham Hippodrome (B5 4TB) - 9:30am until 3:30pm.

View the full bus timetable here 👉 https://wmcanceralliance.nhs.uk/about-us/news/2651-all-aboard-cancer-awareness-bus-back-on-the-road

NHS Birmingham and Solihull

SILHILLIANS are being urged to climb onboard a special bus to get a free health check and find out more about the importance of cancer screening.

05/09/2025

💬 "I had no symptoms at all. It came as a real surprise. You keep up with services for your car, why not your body?”

David was playing international Masters hockey, running, staying active and felt completely healthy. But after talking to NHS staff and going for screening, he was diagnosed with lung cancer at an early stage.

The NHS Cancer Awareness Bus will be making its final stops around Rugby this weekend. Hop on board to get life-saving information about signs, symptoms and screening in a non-clinical, informal setting.

📍Friday 5 September - Eliot Fields Retail Park, Leicester Road, Rugby, CV21 1SR (10am – 4pm)
📍Saturday 6 September - ASDA, 12 Chapel St, Rugby, CV21 3EB. (10am - 4pm)

Find out more 👉 https://wmcanceralliance.nhs.uk/about-us/news/2651-all-aboard-cancer-awareness-bus-back-on-the-road

04/09/2025

Our final stop is ASDA in Rugby! The Cancer Bus is your local space for reliable health info, friendly conversations, and support services that make a difference.

For more information on what else the bus tour offers, visit https://bit.ly/4ivwmOw

📅 Saturday 6th September
🕙 10am – 4pm
📍 12 Chapel St, CV21 3EB