The Cancer Gaming App is being developed by the Love Your Nuts Foundation, founded by testicular cancer survivor Torsten Koehler. The initiative was inspired by his own experience with cancer and his subsequent work educating young people about the importance of early detection.

Koehler was diagnosed at the age of 30 while working as a biology teacher. He said the experience highlighted the importance of giving young people information about cancer at an age when they can understand and act on it.

The idea for the gaming app emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Koehler’s school-based awareness talks were disrupted. With schools moving online, he began looking at ways to take cancer education to more young people digitally.

Torsten Koehler was diagnosed  with testicular cancer at the age of 30. Photo supplied

“By educating young people about cancer and the importance of early detection, we can potentially save lives,” said Koehler. “That is the whole idea behind the gaming app to be quicker than the cancer.

“I want to take cancer education into a digital space where young people already are. If they can learn about their bodies while playing a game, we can make that information more engaging and memorable.

“Every young person should know their body and understand when something changes. My hope is that this app will encourage them to act early, because early detection can save lives.”

The aim is to encourage young people to become more aware of changes in their bodies and to seek medical attention rather than ignoring warning signs.

The proposed app will cover multiple types of cancer rather than focusing only on testicular cancer. Users will navigate through different parts of the human body, learning about cancer risks, symptoms, and warning signs through interactive challenges.

For example, users may encounter information about lung cancer while exploring the lungs and answer questions to earn rewards that can later be used to fight cancer cells within the game.

The app is intended to be rolled out nationally through schools, youth organisations and communities, with ambitions to eventually expand across Africa and internationally.

However, the project still requires funding. Koehler estimates developing a fully functional app could cost between R3m and R4m. The foundation is currently seeking corporate social investment and philanthropic partners to fund a prototype, development, medical review, legal compliance and wider implementation.

“I hope the app will ultimately encourage a generation of young people to take greater responsibility for their health, recognise warning signs, and seek medical help early.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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