WinZO & Tata Memorial Hospital Partner to Launch ‘Play to Prevent Cancer’ Initiative Supporting Genetic Counselling

This partnership aims to build capacity for genetic counseling, ensuring that patients from all backgrounds receive timely and effective care.

WinZO, a leading interactive social gaming platform, has introduced the ‘Play to Prevent Cancer’ initiative aimed at raising funds for early cancer detection through genetic counseling while spreading awareness among its 200 million users.

As part of the campaign, users contributed donations, which WinZO matched to amplify the funding. The proceeds will benefit the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) at Tata Memorial Hospital.

The funds are earmarked to support the training of a dedicated genetic counseling team at the hospital, addressing an urgent need in cancer care. The initiative underscores WinZO’s commitment to tackling the cancer burden in India.

Cancer has emerged as a leading cause of mortality, with nearly 13 million Indians succumbing to the disease between 2000 and 2019—a figure double the population of Singapore.

On a global scale, 2022 saw 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million related deaths, with projections estimating a surge to 35 million cases by 2050.

Amid these alarming figures, genetic counseling has gained recognition as a key strategy in cancer prevention, offering personalized risk assessments and enabling early intervention.

Through its collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital, WinZO seeks to enhance the accessibility of low-cost genetic testing and early cancer detection across diverse socioeconomic groups.

This partnership aims to build capacity for genetic counseling, ensuring that patients from all backgrounds receive timely and effective care.

Dr Rajiv Sarin, Head of the Cancer Genetics Clinic at Tata Memorial Hospital, expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating, “I thank WinZO and its users for their invaluable contributions. The support for Genetic Counselling Professionals will be instrumental in assisting millions of Indians diagnosed with cancer. These professionals will provide timely, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based genetic counseling to patients. To maximize the impact of donated resources, we need an army of well-trained, motivated professionals.”

Mental Health Challenges in Cancer Care

Cancer patients and their caregivers often grapple with significant mental health challenges, with up to 20% of patients experiencing depression and 10% suffering from anxiety.

Moreover, over 35-40% of cancer patients face diagnosable psychiatric disorders, including neurocognitive issues, adjustment disorders, and stress-related conditions.

These challenges often elevate risks of suicide, social isolation, and poor treatment adherence, further complicating the recovery process.

Recognizing this, WinZO’s platform has evolved into more than just a gaming application—it has become a therapeutic tool for cancer patients. By offering casual social games, the platform helps reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness.

The engaging nature of the games serves as a distraction from the illness, fostering mental agility and offering a positive outlet for patients.

A cancer survivor shared their experience with the platform, stating, “Gaming on WinZO’s platform was a huge relief for me. Whenever I felt anxious or overwhelmed, I would take a few minutes to play, focusing on my strategy and the game rather than my worries. The fast-paced games, often lasting just 2-3 minutes, redirected my energy toward something positive and mentally engaging.”

Nachiket Mor, a scientist at The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health, highlighted the potential of gaming in addressing the mental health challenges associated with cancer.

“Cancer patients often face significant mental health challenges, with up to 90% experiencing anxiety and many older adults battling loneliness post-diagnosis. The fight against cancer can leave long-term mental health issues, not only for patients but also for their families. Online gaming offers a promising yet underutilized tool to support mental well-being, improve treatment adherence, and educate patients in an engaging and non-intimidating way,” Mor stated.

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