As cancer diagnoses continue to rise in South Africa many cases are still detected too late, reducing treatment success and increasing the burden on patients, families and the health-care system.

To help tackle this challenge, the Love Your Nuts Foundation is developing an innovative Cancer Gaming App that uses interactive, gamified learning to educate young people about cancer prevention, early detection and healthy lifestyle choices.

Founded by cancer survivor and advocate Torsten Koehler, the foundation is expanding its focus beyond testicular-cancer awareness to provide engaging, medically reviewed education on multiple cancer types.

The app will feature quizzes, challenges and rewards designed to improve health literacy and encourage young people to recognise warning signs and seek medical advice early.

“We need to meet young people where they are, on digital platforms, and make health education something they actively engage with,” says Koehler.

The foundation plans to roll the platform out across schools and youth organisations in South Africa, with ambitions to expand across Africa and internationally.

It is currently seeking Corporate Social Investment (CSI) and philanthropic partners to support the app’s development and implementation.

“Our goal is to empower young people with knowledge that could one day save their life, or the life of someone they love,” Koehler said.