About the
exhibition
The Journey to End Cancer is an inspiring and engaging new science exhibition that demystifies cancer, and highlights medical breakthroughs and groundbreaking advances toward cures.
Developed for visitors of all ages, the journey answers the most important questions people have about cancer...
Five interactive galleries: Know It, Find It, Treat It, Prevent It and Defeat It
Immersive media
Interactive timelines
Interactive games, challenges, and explorations
Storytelling videos in intimate story pods
MD Anderson Cancer Strikethrough wall for sharing personal messages
Public programming and educational resources
Entry
Love your cells
Visitors receive an eye-opening introduction to the amazing work their cells do to keep them healthy and active, and how sometimes changes can build up in cells and cause them to multiply out of control, resulting in cancer. Stunning visuals then transport visitors to the frontiers of cancer science today, inspiring hope in the rapid progress taking place.
What is cancer?
Mistakes happen
A pattern-copying game shows how some of the DNA changes that lead to cancer are the result of “copy and paste” errors — simple mistakes — that happen when cells replicate.
How cancer starts
Some cancer-causing gene variants happen by chance, while others have known causes. A series of infographics highlight various known causes.
Rogue cells
A 90-second animation tells the story of a healthy little cell that, due to no fault of its own, develops changes to its DNA “instruction book.” As those changes build up, the cell stops following the healthy cell rules and multiplies out of control, leading to cancer.
Wait, what?!
An interactive that sparks curiosity through surprising facts about what cancer is, who gets it (even dinosaurs did!) and how cancer cells are a bit like “zombies” because they refuse to die a normal cell death.
Who gets cancer?
Can anyone get cancer? What about animals? This expansive infographic uses icons and text to explore who can be affected by cancer. By studying patterns in ourselves and other living creatures, we can gain insights into how cancer works and how we can help detect, treat, and prevent it.
How can we detect cancer?
Cancer detective
This touch-screen experience turns visitors into “detectives,” applying screening and evaluation tools to uncover or rule out cancers in different parts of the body. The experience highlights the importance of routine screenings and paying attention to the body if out of the ordinary symptoms occur.
Future detection
What is the future of cancer detection? This infographic highlights exciting and surprising developments. While some aren’t ready to be introduced, others are already in testing.
Polyp pursuit
In this simulation, visitors perform a virtual colonoscopy to find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer; an instance where early detection becomes prevention!
The power of
early detection
A large infographic uses simple stats and colorful graphics to reveal how early detection can lead to high survival rates for common cancers, emphasizing the importance of access for all.
What stage is it?
Through easy-to-understand infographics, visitors learn the difference it can make when you find cancer early. Simple visuals illustrate the stages of cancer that allow doctors and patients to determine the best treatment option.
I have cancer?
The first of three story pods features videos that share experiences about the moment of diagnosis, from patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives. Everyone’s cancer is different, and so is their diagnosis story.
How do we stop cancers?
Super Cells
A playful game introduces the promise of immunotherapy, as visitors “power up” T cells to better seek and destroy “rogue cells” or cancer cells.
Breakthrough!
Visitors travel through time to learn about cancer treatment advances from ancient times to the ever-improving “five pillars”: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Calm
A soothing sound-and-light experience highlights the role of science-backed complementary therapies like meditation, exercise and others, integrated with traditional medical treatments.
The Whole Person
Caring for the whole self helps build resilience against cancer. An illustrated infographic shows how science-backed practices like yoga, acupuncture and healthy eating can support cancer treatment.
In It Together
Cancer care takes many forms, but science and a strong support team are key. Video stories highlight the remarkable collaboration involved and the many different heroes who play a role.
Trial Blazers
Clinical trials are essential to saving lives. Having more people—and greater diversity—helps to ensure treatments are effective for everyone. This display highlights how clinical trials work and celebrates the patients who volunteer for them.
How can you reduce your risk?
Risky Business
Visitors play a game of choices from childhood to age 101, where everyday actions can help lower one’s lifetime cancer risk. Along the way, visitors learn how some risk factors like inherited cancer risk or living in a “health care desert” can be out of our control.
Gut Check
In this interactive experience, visitors design fiber-rich meals to support helpful gut microbes, which can boost health, make cancer treatments more effective and potentially lower risk.
Fiber is Your Friend
This eye-catching infographic display spotlights how fiber works to keep your colon running smoothly and support a healthy gut microbiome–the key to a strong immune system.
The Power of Prevention
A large infographic presents compelling data highlighting some top ways to lower cancer risk, from avoiding tobacco and alcohol to staying physically active.
A Path Forward
Cancer reshapes lives and perspectives, inspiring more people to work toward a future without it. This story pod offers a heartfelt look at the path ahead, for patients, family members and researchers shaping the future of cancer care.
Can we end cancer together?
Worldwide Effort
The movement to end cancer is happening all around the globe—and in space. Supported by quick facts and helpful snapshots, visitors explore how passionate teams around the world are innovating to end cancer.
The Power of Us
The visitor’s journey culminates with this highly collaborative interactive big screen experience. It underlines a key message of the exhibition — we are more powerful and can accomplish great things when we team up with a common goal. It will take all of us working together to end cancer.
Exit
Cancer Strikethrough
The exhibition ends with an interactive MD Anderson “Cancer Strikethrough” opportunity where visitors can share empowering personal messages.
Resources Guidepost
Seeking more resources? Visitors are encouraged to collect extra information to continue their learning journey. Simply scan the QR code to access trusted online resources curated by MD Anderson, consistently ranked the top cancer center in the world.