Big Bus brings cancer services to Ballymena

The Bus will be hosted by the Ballymena South Cluster and will be located at Ballee Child Centre Car Park on Monday July 21.

The mobile clinic, whose main sponsor is retail group SuperValu and its independent retailers, was launched in 2006 to help Action Cancer save lives and support people. The 18 metre-long articulated vehicle with expanding side pods, houses cancer prevention and early detection services and staff on the unit also provide information about support services.

Services provided on the Big Bus, which is fully accessible include digital breast screening for women aged between 40 and 49 and over 70, health promotion and MOT health checks for men and women. A full body composition analysis using the latest technology provides clients with information on their height, weight, body mass index and more, and also offers health awareness and weight loss guidance.

Big Bus staff can provide information on complementary therapies and other cancer support services such as counselling, a Listening Ear Service, and support groups, which are available for cancer patients, their carers and families at the charity’s headquarters in Belfast and at other locations.

Anyone interested in making an appointment for the Big Bus when it is in Ballymena should telephone Action Cancer in advance on 028 9080 3344. Alternatively, you can book online by going to www.actioncancer.org, and follow the ‘online booking’ link on the home page. Appointments will be available from 10am to 3pm each day. Bookings are taken on a first come first served basis as there are a limited number of appointments for all services.