WinZO, a major interactive social gaming platform, has launched a campaign called 'Play to Prevent Cancer' to promote awareness about the importance of early cancer detection and to finance genetic counselling for cancer prevention. With over 200 million users, the site successfully engaged its community during a designated hour of play to solicit contributions. WinZO's 200-person team subsequently matched the gathered funds, essentially doubling the donation. These money were donated to the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) at Tata Memorial Hospital, India's premier cancer research facility. The funding will be used to train genetic counsellors, improving India's capacity for early cancer identification.

WinZO's choice to focus on genetic counselling stems from the growing burden of cancer in India and around the world. Over the last two decades, almost 13 million Indians have perished from 23 different types of cancer, which is twice Singapore's population. In 2022, there were 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths in the world. Experts project that by 2050, the number of new cases will increase to 35 million each year. Despite these alarming statistics, recent years have witnessed substantial advancements in cancer prevention, treatment, and care.rs. Genetic counselling is one of the most promising treatments, as it helps identify people who are more likely to acquire cancer and allows for early intervention.

Genetic counselling entails examining an individual's genetic composition to find mutations that may increase their cancer risk. Once identified, these high-risk individuals can receive early screening and take preventative measures to lower their chances of acquiring cancer. 

WinZO's partnership with Tata Memorial Hospital aims to expand access to genetic counselling by funding the training of qualified experts who can provide personalised advice to patients and their families. This project also supports Tata Memorial's low-cost genetic testing facility, ensuring that people of all socioeconomic backgrounds have access to these modern services.

Dr. Rajiv Sarin, head of Tata Memorial Hospital's Cancer Genetics Clinic and Cancer Genetics/Genomics Lab, lauded WinZO's efforts, emphasising the need for well-trained experts in cancer research. He stated, "The support provided by WinZO and its users will allow us to develop a large pool of skilled genetic counsellors who can provide personalised, evidence-based care to millions of Indians affected by cancer." If we want to make a long-term difference in cancer care, we must invest in skilled labour as well as advanced medical technology."

Beyond the physical toll, cancer has a significant mental and emotional impact on patients and their carers. According to studies, up to 20% of cancer patients are depressed, while 10% are anxious. Furthermore, approximately 40% of cancer patients may acquire psychological illnesses throughout their treatment, including stress-related and cognitive impairments. These mental health issues can limit treatment adherence, raise the risk of suicide, and lead to feelings of isolation among patients.

WinZO's platform represents a fresh method of tackling these mental health issues. The platform's games, which often last only a few minutes, provide an intriguing distraction from worry and tension. Studies have demonstrated that casual social games can increase cognitive capacities such as attention and information processing. Many cancer patients have found these activities to be therapeutic, helping them deal with feelings of loneliness and sadness during treatment.

One cancer patient described their personal experience, saying, "Playing games on WinZO helped me stay intellectually engaged during my treatment. When I was anxious, I would play a brief game. It helped me refocus and gave me something wonderful to look forward to. The games were more than simply fun; they helped me build mental skills and kept my spirits up throughout some extremely difficult periods."

Nachiket Mor, a scientist at The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health, emphasised gaming's potential in healthcare, especially for cancer patients. He stated that gaming might be a great tool to improve mental well-being, foster resilience, and minimise the loneliness felt by patients. By incorporating gaming into cancer care, Mor believes that the healthcare system can better support patients and their families, giving them with interesting, non-threatening ways to manage stress and generate hope during their journey. 

Through its ‘Play to Prevent Cancer’ project, WinZO has showed how new techniques integrating technology, entertainment, and healthcare can make a significant difference in people’s lives. WinZO is promoting awareness and giving practical solutions to improve cancer outcomes in India by enabling genetic counselling and mental health assistance through gaming.