As the late detection of childhood cancer results in deaths, some of which could have been prevented, a concerted awareness and early detection initiative is clearly urgently needed.

It is believed that currently less than half of children with cancer in South Africa are diagnosed, and many of those who are diagnosed are in advanced stage of illness. This is partly due to a lack of awareness and knowledge in parts of the health system regarding the early warning signs of childhood cancer.

The objectives of the project include ensuring that all children with cancer in South Africa are diagnosed as early possible and that the early warning signs of childhood cancer are well known in all parts of the health system (including primary health care clinics and all hospitals).

It is also vital to ensure that the awareness of childhood cancer and its symptoms are part of the initial and ongoing training of medical and nursing practitioners. The project further aims to ensure that the referral system from primary health clinics and secondary hospitals through to arrival of the child at specialised treatment centres functions efficiently and rapidly. It aims at having parents and teachers in all areas of South Africa aware of the early warning signs of childhood cancer and of knowing where to go and what to insist upon when symptoms are recognised.

The envisaged outcomes of the programme are:

• All children with cancer are diagnosed early (stage 1 and 2) and referred rapidly to the appropriate treatment centre. 

• All medical, nursing and primary health care staff throughout the health system are aware of the symptoms of childhood cancer, and know the appropriate action to take upon diagnosis and referral of the children. 

• The training and ongoing education of doctors, nurses and primary health care workers includes the awareness and symptoms of childhood cancer.

• The general public, especially those in rural areas, are aware of the early warning signs of childhood cancer.