Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan has pledged the state government’s full support for initiatives aimed at curbing the rising incidence of cancer and advancing scientific breakthroughs in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The minister was speaking after virtually inaugurating the Aster Quality Care Cancer Conclave (AQCCON) 2026, organised by the Aster International Institute of Oncology in Kochi.
Early detection remains a challenge
Muraleedharan said cancer prevention and advanced treatment methods are of growing importance to Kerala, pointing out that the disease is increasingly being detected even among healthy young people who exercise regularly.
“Today, cancer is being detected even among healthy young people who exercise regularly. The inability to identify the disease at an early stage often poses a significant challenge,” he said.
The health department will thoroughly review the discussions and recommendations emerging from AQCCON 2026 and the government will take necessary follow-up action, the minister added.
Aster launches Sakhi 5.0
During the inaugural session, actress Divya Pillai and AQCCON 2026 Chairperson Dr Jem Kalathil launched Sakhi 5.0, the Aster International Institute of Oncology’s programme supporting people living with or after cancer and the families caring for them.
Sakhi provides support to cancer survivors, online classes and assistance with practical concerns. The programme also conducts educational sessions on breast cancer screening and self-examination across various settings.
The programme also saw the soft launch of the Onco Infusion Day Care area by Aster DM Quality Care Ltd Chief Executive Officer (India-1) S Ramesh Kumar.
Focus on precision oncology and personalised care
Aster International Institute of Oncology – GCC & India Global Director Prof Dr Somashekhar S P said cancer is increasingly treatable and curable when detected early or managed using advances such as immunotherapy and precision oncology.
“Despite high cancer incidence and mortality rates in Kerala, cancer is increasingly treatable and curable when detected early or managed with modern advances like immunotherapy and precision oncology,” he said.
He said AQCCON brings together national and international leaders from surgical, medical, radiation and nuclear oncology to promote research collaboration and high-quality personalised cancer care.
The conclave aims to combine international standards with local affordability and empathy to improve cancer outcomes and save more lives, he added.
Multidisciplinary approach to cancer care
Aster Medcity, Kochi Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology and AQCCON Organising Secretary Dr Arun R Warrier said multidisciplinary comprehensive cancer care would be critical to improving long-term outcomes and quality of life.
“What we need to carry forward is multidisciplinary comprehensive cancer care where precision oncology helps to chart out a successful treatment plan, optimising long-term outcomes and quality of life,” he said.
More than 100 experts at the conclave
AQCCON 2026 brings together more than 100 eminent faculty members from across the country for 60 academic sessions.
The programme features keynote lectures, multidisciplinary tumour boards, expert panel discussions, case-based debates and presentations on cutting-edge clinical research.
This edition also marks a significant development in the healthcare sector, with Aster, CARE Hospitals, KIMSHEALTH and EVERCARE coming together as an integrated healthcare organisation.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Aster DM Quality Care Ltd Chief Executive Officer (India-1) S Ramesh Kumar, Aster DM Quality Care Ltd Regional CEO, Central Kerala Dr Nalanda Jayadev, actress Divya Pillai, AQCCON Chairpersons Dr Jem Kalathil, Dr K V Gangadharan and Dr C N Patil, and Organising Secretaries Dr Arun R Warrier and Dr Sharath S.