With the increasing life expectancy of cancer patients, the long-term consequences of cancer therapy are becoming an increasing issue. Anthracycline-induced heart failure is a classic example of an adverse cardiovascular effect of cancer therapy. Here, Alex Lyon, MA, BM BCh, PhD, FRCP, from Imperial College, London, UK, discusses the recent development of cardio-oncology as a recognized sub-specialty dedicated to the prevention, identification and treatment of cardiovascular complications in patients receiving cancer therapy. This interview was recorded at the British Society for Hematology (BSH) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, Liverpool, UK.