Cancer Research UK today unveils Play to Cure: Genes in Space - a world-first mobile phone game in which people across the globe will be able to help scientists unravel gene data to find the answers to some of cancers toughest questions. By Emma Rigby.

It is available to download now for free here for anyone with an Android or Apple Smartphone. When playing this fun and interactive spaceship game, people will simultaneously analyse Cancer Research UKs gene data, highlighting genetic faults which can cause cancer and ultimately help scientists develop new treatments.

Players must guide a fast-paced spaceship safely along a hazard-strewn intergalactic assault course to collect precious material called Element Alpha. Each time the player steers the spaceship to follow the Element Alpha path, this information is fed back to Cancer Research UK scientists cleverly providing analysis of variations in gene data. Scientists need this information to work out which genes are faulty in cancer patients so they can develop new drugs that target them, speeding our progress towards personalised medicine. Each section of gene data will be tracked by several different players to ensure accuracy.

Hannah Keartland, citizen science lead for Cancer Research UK, said: Our world-first Smartphone game is simply out of this world. Not only is it great fun to play but every single second gamers spend directly helps our work to bring forward the day all cancers are cured. Our scientists research produces colossal amounts of data, some of which can only be analysed by the human eye a process which can take years.

We hope thousands of people worldwide will play Play to Cure: Genes in Space as often as possible, to help our researchers get through this data. We urge people to give five minutes of their time wherever and whenever they can - whether theyre waiting for their bus to arrive or theyre in the hairdressers having a blow dry. Together, our free moments will help us beat cancer sooner.

Tony Selman age 72 from Middlesex was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March 2010 after a series of CT and MRI scans. Tony, who lost his wife to cancer of the oesophagus, was initially treated with Zoladex and Casodexhormone treatments, and later with radiotherapy and brachytherapy and is now having regular checks. He is Cancer Research UKs citizen science ambassador.

Ive watched this game develop from the start and Im delighted that it is now launching.

I know that this project wont be able to help me but it will be a fantastic boost to help scientists discover new clues to the development of cancer more quickly to provide effective new treatments for cancer to protect my grandchildren and future generations.

Ive played this game and think its marvellous. And Id urge everyone out there if youve got five minutes to spare, play it now and help beat cancer sooner.

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Cancer Research UK launches Spaceship smartphone game to seek cancer cures

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