Dr Tasleem Ras describes a collaborative, interdisciplinary research programme involving partners in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the UK, focused on improving early cancer diagnosis. The project explores cancer diagnostic pathways from patient, clinician, and health system perspectives, and has led to the co-creation of locally relevant interventions with community and clinical partners. Current work is trialling community awareness tools for common cancers and a diagnostic aid for primary care clinicians in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The aim is to support earlier symptom recognition, earlier presentation, and more timely cancer diagnosis in high-burden settings.