Minecraft Helps Children Prepare for Cancer Treatment
A Virtual Hospital Inside Minecraft
A children's cancer hospital in the UK is using Minecraft to help young patients better understand and prepare for their treatment.
The Christie Hospital in Manchester has created a virtual recreation of its proton beam therapy unit inside Minecraft, allowing children to explore the hospital environment before arriving for treatment. The initiative is believed to be the first of its kind at a working NHS hospital.
One of the first patients to experience the virtual world is 10-year-old Rama, who is currently receiving treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma. Through Minecraft, she can navigate digital versions of the treatment rooms, equipment, and spaces she encounters during her care.
Reducing Fear Through Play
According to senior health play specialist Charlotte Cooper, many children arrive feeling scared, overwhelmed, and uncertain about what lies ahead.
The Minecraft experience is designed to give young patients practical coping tools while helping them build confidence before scans, radiotherapy sessions, and other treatments. Since many children are already familiar with the game, it provides a comfortable and engaging way to introduce them to a clinical environment.
By combining play with healthcare education, the hospital hopes to reduce anxiety and make treatment feel less intimidating.
A Patient's Perspective
While exploring the virtual hospital, Rama was able to recognize spaces she uses during her real-world treatment, including the bed where she rests and the proton beam therapy machine.
She described the experience as "a game mixed with a hospital" and believes many children will enjoy using it.
Rama also explained that seeing the treatment equipment beforehand helps patients understand what to expect before entering the actual treatment room.
Why It Matters
The Christie treats around 120 children each year with proton beam therapy, a highly targeted form of radiotherapy that minimizes damage to healthy tissue surrounding tumors.
For young patients facing a difficult diagnosis, unfamiliar medical equipment and procedures can often be a major source of stress. Giving children the opportunity to explore their treatment journey virtually may help them feel more informed, prepared, and in control.
Gaming Beyond Entertainment
The project highlights how video games can be used for more than entertainment. By transforming a popular game like Minecraft into a healthcare education tool, hospitals are finding new ways to support children's emotional wellbeing during challenging medical experiences.
As healthcare providers continue exploring digital and interactive technologies, projects like this demonstrate how familiar gaming environments can help make complex treatments less frightening for young patients.