Delayed cancer diagnosis coupled with a lack of specially trained health workers are contributing to the lower survival rates for children battling the disease in South Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) made the assertion in light of September being International Childhood Cancer Awareness month.

In response, the Foundation for Childhood Cancer in SA stressed that early diagnosis and access to basic cancer medication improved the survival rate of children. Roughly 1000 new cases of child cancer are record each year globally.