---
title: "A Tech Startup Is Using Virtual Reality as a Weapon Against Cancer"
description: "Tech startup OnComfort's virtual reality apps have been shown to reduce cancer patients' stress, anxiety, and need for pain medication."
date: "2017-09-13"
modified: "2017-09-13"
authors:
  - name: "Kyree Leary"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/kyree"
url: "https://futurism.com/a-tech-startup-is-using-virtual-reality-as-a-weapon-against-cancer"
categories:
  - "Cancer"
  - "Future Society"
  - "Health & Medicine"
  - "Medical"
  - "Virtual Reality"
tags:
  - "cancer"
  - "cancer treatment"
  - "virtual reality"
---

# A Tech Startup Is Using Virtual Reality as a Weapon Against Cancer

![cancer cancer treatment virtual reality](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DBZo09tXsAE48Uu.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DBZo09tXsAE48Uu.jpg:large" target="\_blank"\>OnComfort\</a\>\</em\>*

## Cancer vs. VR

[OnComfort's](<https://www.oncomfort.com/>) goal is to help patients cope with the stress and pain associated with cancer treatment, but the startup isn't working on a new medication or traditional therapy. They have their eyes set on virtual reality (VR).

\[infographic postid="29065"\]\[/infographic\]

“Oncomfort leverages virtual reality technology to help train patients in stress management techniques, give them easy-to-understand information, and help them feel more in control, calm, and comfortable,” CEO Diane Jooris [explained in a news release](<http://newsroom.astellas.us/2016-10-11-Astellas-Oncology-Announces-Winning-C3-Prize-Ideas-in-Virtual-Reality-Online-Patient-Support-and-Fatigue-Reducing-Light-Therapy-to-Change-Cancer-Care>) after the company won the [C3 Prize](<http://www.c3prize.com/>).

So far, OnComfort has created five different VR applications in pursuit of this goal.

[Aqua](<https://www.oncomfort.com/portfolio-posts/aqua/>) is an immersive experience that places the patient in an undersea environment to induce relaxation, while [Amo](<https://www.oncomfort.com/portfolio-posts/amo/>) uses clinical hypnosis techniques, deep breathing, guided imagery, and relaxation to ease pain and anxiety.

Three of the company's apps — [Kimo](<https://www.oncomfort.com/portfolio-posts/kimo/>), [Spacio](<https://www.oncomfort.com/portfolio-posts/spacio/>), and [Stella](<https://www.oncomfort.com/portfolio-posts/stella-virtual-reality-experience-for-pediatric-patients/>) — have been designed specifically for the benefit of pediatric patients. These can be used to distract them during short procedures or help them prepare for MRIs, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

## VR Wins

According to OnComfort's website, their apps have been tested by 20 doctors on more than 1,500 patients in the U.S. and Europe. [Jooris told *Forbes*](<https://www.forbes.com/sites/moiravetter/2017/09/09/virtual-reality-startup-uses-the-psychology-of-gaming-to-do-battle-with-cancer/#374334c01666>) that tests have so far produced positive results — breast cancer patients who used OnComfort at least 15 minutes before their scheduled procedures saw a 50 percent reduction in anxiety, an 80 percent reduction in the use of pain medication, and a 40 percent decrease in overall pain.

Numbers like these are likely to help the company as they seek out more support for their technology. Getting regulatory approval to use VR — or any new treatment or device — for medical purposes isn't easy, and the process can be a long, expensive one with unexpected setbacks.

https://youtu.be/Urj4FpBscfM

Virtual reality has already proven capable of doing much good in the healthcare industry, helping patients cope with autism, [paranoia](<https://futurism.com/virtual-reality-can-help-reduce-paranoia>), [labor pains](<https://futurism.com/not-just-for-gaming-virtual-reality-meditation-helps-women-through-labor-pains>), [PTSD](<https://futurism.com/experimental-virtual-reality-ptsd-therapy-gets-traumatized-soldiers-walking-toward-relief>), and many other conditions and ailments.

Last year, an estimated 1.6 million people in the U.S. were [diagnosed with a form of cancer](<https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics>), and if games like Aqua and Spacio can help ease the stress and pain of even a fraction of those people, OnComfort's technology is worth pursuing.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/KyreeLeary>)