Childhood cancer is one of the most urgent, yet under-recognised, health challenges in South Africa. While cancers in children are relatively rare compared with adult cancers, they are a leading cause of disease-related death when not diagnosed and treated promptly. Each year, between 800 and 1 000 South African children are diagnosed with cancer. Yet data from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the National Cancer Registry indicate that fewer than half of these cases are diagnosed early enough to benefit from timely treatment, and many cases go entirely undetected. Thabiso Tema spoke to Prof. Janet Poole, paediatric haematologist-oncologist and member of the South African Children’s Cancer Study Group.