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. 2024 May 29:10:e56168.
doi: 10.2196/56168.

An Introduction to the OutSMART Cancer Serious Game: Current and Future Directions

Olufunmilola Abraham  1 , Tyler J McCarthy  1
Affiliations

An Introduction to the OutSMART Cancer Serious Game: Current and Future Directions

Olufunmilola Abraham et al. JMIR Cancer. .

Abstract

Given that cancer is a challenging disease that plagues millions of individuals of all age groups and socioeconomic statuses globally, developmentally appropriate education is often lacking for young people, particularly adolescents. Increasing cancer awareness and prevention education among adolescents using innovative strategies, such as game-based learning, is critical in reducing the burden of this disease. Adolescents are understudied in the field of cancer prevention and control, yet vulnerable as they tackle creating life-long health behavior patterns. Targeting cancer prevention education for adolescents has the potential to support long-term healthy behavior and reduce their risk of cancer. This paper provides an overview of the Collaborative Research on MEdication use and family health (CRoME) Lab's novel game-based cancer prevention education tool. OutSMART Cancer is an innovative, novel educational intervention in the form of a serious game. Serious games are educational tools that seek to impart knowledge and improve behaviors in their players. This game covers information related to breast cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer. This viewpoint is a summary of the developmental process for the OutSMART Cancer game. We describe in detail the work preceding initial game development, the current version of the game, future directions for the game, and its educational potential. The long-term goal of OutSMART Cancer is to improve cancer awareness and knowledge regarding prevention behaviors in adolescents and support a lifetime of health and wellness.

Keywords: OutSMART Cancer; United States; adolescent; adolescents; cancer; cancer awareness; cancer prevention; cancer risk; education; game development; health behavior; health education; innovative; prevention; serious game; teenager; teenagers; tool; wellness; young people.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
OutSMART Cancer gameplay.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Screenshot of mom lying ill on the couch.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Screenshot of the doctor’s office scene.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Colon cancer scene with father.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Peer offering vape to the player.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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