Playing for Change
The game “Tumor Quest” seeks to improve people’s understanding of cancer
What?
Tumor Quest is a free game where players match three or more mutations associated with a tumor type to make them disappear. The aim is to help engage players in how tumor-specific and tumor-agnostic targets are helping to tackle cancer. The game was launched in time for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference and allows its users to select from three different paths: nonspecific, tumor-specific or tumor-agnostic. To help build its users understanding of the various tumor types implicated in cancer, the game is accompanied by a short yet informative animation.
Why?
Getting people to talk about tumors and biomarking isn’t the easiest task in the world – and so, public awareness around personalized treatment types is low. Advances in science and technology are helping to uncover the underlying genetic causes of cancer, and the gaming platform aims to keep a wider audience informed.
Who?
The game was developed by Roche's Genentech. And it isn’t the first time the Roche Group has used creative approaches to reach out to the public to help boost awareness; it has investigated animations, comic strips and podcasts as new ways of engaging the public and patients with science and medicine.
Where?
You can check out the game here.
After finishing my degree, I envisioned a career in science communications. However, life took an unexpected turn and I ended up teaching abroad. Though the experience was amazing and I learned a great deal from it, I jumped at the opportunity to work for Texere. I'm excited to see where this new journey takes me!
