New cervical cancer mobile health hub coming to city

A new Cervical Screening Mobile Health Hub will be coming to Wolverhampton next week, helping make cervical screening more accessible and encouraging people to protect themselves against cervical cancer.

It will visit locations across the city from 29 October to 1 November, providing another option for people who are eligible for cervical screening.

It checks for HPV, or human papillomavirus, a common virus that can affect the skin and the areas of the body covered by mucous membranes. Some types of HPV can cause changes to cells in the cervix which, over time, can develop into cervical cancer.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: "Two women die every day from cervical cancer in England, yet it is one of the most preventable cancers – and attending screening can help prevent it before it starts, or enable earlier treatment.

"Cervical screening rates in Wolverhampton are currently below the national average, and this initiative will help improve access and support more people to take up screening when it is due."

The Cervical Screening Mobile Health Hub will be at All Saints Area Network, All Saints Road, on Thursday 29 October from 4-8pm, WV Active Central on Friday 30 October from 4-8pm, and at Pure Gym, Birmingham Road, on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November from 10am-2pm.

Black Country Integrated Care Board Medical Advisor Ian Sharp said: “Cervical screening can help prevent cervical cancer, but we know that there are many reasons why people may delay or avoid screening.

“We listened to local women and communities about the things that can make screening difficult, and the Mobile Health Hub is one of the ways we are responding.

“We want people to know that HPV is very common and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Screening is quick, carried out by trained professionals and most appointments take around 10 minutes.

“By bringing screening into communities, we hope to make it easier for more people to take that important step and protect themselves from cervical cancer.”

The Mobile Health Hub, which will be returning to Wolverhampton on more dates later this winter, will complement routine cervical screening available through GP practices, giving eligible people another way to access screening.

The council is also working with all Primary Care Networks across the city in a bid to improve cervical cancer screening uptake by offering greater access to evening and weekend appointments.

Cervical cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages, but as the disease progresses, common symptoms include unusual vaginal bleeding, like after sex, between periods, or after menopause; changes in vaginal discharge; and pelvic pain. Advanced cervical cancer may also cause symptoms like back pain, leg swelling, or problems with urination or bowel movements. For more information about cervical screening, please visit www.nhs.uk/cervicalscreening.