Venue: Melmana Gardens, Ooramana
Date/Time: 01/02/2026, 4 PM – 6 PM

This seminar was exceptional for it was blessed by His Beatitude Baselios Joseph Catholicose, Supreme Head of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church and because of the contemporary relevance of the theme.

Welcome

The meeting started at 4 PM with the welcome address by the Secretary General Dr K.M George, who introduced the Bishop and other office-bearers in a befitting manner.

Inaugural Address

His beatitude Baselios Joseph Catholicos in his inaugural address expressed his happiness in sharing some moments with a group of likeminded people having different problems in life.
He drew the attention of the participants to a current media report on the alarming increase of cancer in Kerala with particular emphasis on Ernakulam District.

According to media reports there are about 61,000 fresh cancer cases reported in Kerala in a year. Of these 5200 new cases are reported from Ernakulam District. In Kerala 135 people in every lakh is affected by cancer. Lung cancer and the cancer affecting head neck region are and common among men and mammary cancer in women. Moreover, it is observed that there is increasing incidence of multiple myeloma in Ernakulam District.

Further His Beatitude expressed his concern about the lifestyle of younger generation, especially the school children citing examples of pupils of the school under his stewardship. Children are crazy about processed food, junk food and soft drinks without any proper exercise which may lead to obesity and accompanying problems. The poisons and various toxins from food, air and water and finally he made a clear call to the Governmental agencies, NGOs and other social organizations to create awareness among the public especially the younger generation regarding the dangers of the unhealthy lifestyle.

He was facilitated by adorning Ponnada by co-patron Sri. P.V Thomas and was given a standing ovation.

Presidential Address

Dr Mathew Abraham, the executive chairman, in his presidential address made known some must know facts. He stated that unlike in the past, now diagnostic methods for detection of cancer are improved and the cancer can be properly diagnosed. He further pointed out that the incidence of cancer in an individual affects not only the patient but also the family and society. The common causes of cancer can be cited as 1) Genetic 2) Lifestyle 3) Virus. If at all Virus is a causative agent for cancer, cancer is not communicable. Even though there is no chance of spontaneous cure for a benign tumor, there is no chance for it in the case of cancer.

Speaker Introduction

The Keynote speaker Dr Aju Mathew was introduced by Dr. Baby Jacob Meledom, eliciting his educational and professional credentials in a very jovial way. He was felicitated by adorning Ponnada by Mrs. Jolly Mathew Abraham.

Keynote Address

Dr Aju Mathew started by airing a question to the audience as to how many in the gathering are having a relative or friend or neighbor with cancer identified in the last year. More than 80% of the audience had someone to think of. In the past it was thought that cancer was a condition affecting elderly people. But now there is increasing incidence in young adults (people below 50).

In the last decade there has been an increase in the early onset of cancer. This is prevalent in developed and developing countries as published in the British Journal of Medicine. In this context researchers from India, U.S, U.K and France secured a grant for the study , close to 25 million dollars from Grand Challengers Award competition. It is very gratifying to note that Dr. Aju Mathew and one of his colleagues were scientists from India. The topic was “Why is the early onset of cancer rising”.

REASONS FOR EARLY ONSET OF CANCER

1) Poison/contaminants in food, air and drinking water.
2) Lack of exercise/sedentary lifestyle.
3) Microplastics in the food chain – found throughout the body.

Problem Statement for research

Rising Incidence of cancer in young adults. Find the reasons and solutions.

He cited a touching experience

Very recently, a lady aged 42 yrs who had uterine cancer, previously treated elsewhere, came to him for consultation. Her husband committed suicide and she had only one son. The doctor advised scans, and it was found that the cancer spread to all parts of the body (sarcoma). She told the doctor that she behaved in such a manner to make her son hate her.

1) Food Habits: At any cost, processed and ultra-processed food should not exceed 10% of the total food. More often we consume more than 30% of processed food. Children are very fond of processed food. We should avoid sugary and such other high-calorie foods. Very authoritative studies and inventions were made by an Indian scientist from Kochi, Dr. Salim Yusuf, who conducted a prospective urban and rural epidemic study. He has invented streptokinase, a drug used for lysis of blood clots, and medicine to treat high blood pressure.

2) Exercise: Exercise is a must to keep good health. (Most safe and affordable; should not be avoided.)

3) Food components: Excess salt and too low‑quality/unhealthy foods are deadly. Quantity of fruits and vegetables should be increased; try to take all good‑quality fruits and vegetables.

4) Microplastics: Microplastics are present in all organs of the body – even in semen and brain. Water seems to be the main source for its carriage.

The keynote speaker said about his observation on gallbladder cancer, which is not so prevalent in Kerala but in Nort-East India. He has developed a hypothesis according to which the incidence of gallbladder cancer is more in the Gangetic belt indicating that water is the source for the spread.

As of today, there is no means to measure microplastics. But in foreign countries the studies are going on where they are selecting 10000 pregnant women and their subsequent progenies and look for the presence of microplastics in the progeny. They are under the contention that microplastics can be eliminated through the umbilical cord. This is in the experimental stage and requires time to scientifically prove it.

FIT (Fecal Immunome Chemical Test)

This is a non-invasive, at-home screening tool used to detect hidden(occult) blood in stools, which may indicate colorectal cancer or pre-cancerous polyps. It is recommended for adults aged 50+, often requiring no special diet or medication adjustments.

Interactive Session

An active and enlightening interactive session followed in which the speaker gave responses to participants’ enquiries, and the summary of those are below.

1) Screening diagnostic tests for early detection of cancer (as per WHO/camps): cervical cancer, breast cancer, oral cancer, and prostate cancer.
2) Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer above 50 years or with family history – polyps to be removed at the time of scopey.
3) To detect occult blood (stool) ; if positive → colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy.
4) Pap smear test – to detect cervical cancer – once in 3 years.
5) PSA test – to detect prostate cancer (men) – once in 4 years; MRI for confirmatory diagnosis.

5) Mammogram: A low‑dose X‑ray of the breast used to detect early breast cancer. Even without symptoms, it can reveal lesions/lumps in women, sometimes well before a lump is felt.

6) Oral cancer: An ENT surgeon or dentist can diagnose; cancer can be identified on oral examination.

7) Lung cancer: A person in the habit of smoking a packet of cigarettes per day for 50 years is at significant risk; needs to undergo CT scan for detection. Biopsy of lung tissue has chances of inflicting damage to the lungs.

8) Important advice: Conduct self‑evaluation. Any abnormalities deviating from normal – headache, body ache, fever, lumps (big or small), swelling, discharges (foul smelling), bleeding, breathlessness, severe cough/wheezing, imbalance, or persistence of existing symptoms for more than 10 days must be taken seriously. A combined medical evaluation should be done without delay.

9) Heavy metals in the food are carcinogenic.

10) Components of medicines – There is no assured system to regulate the appropriate level of different components in various medicines. Also, the quality check of various food items needs rethinking. For all this, a strong political will is immediately necessary.

Concluding remarks and vote of thanks
The meeting ended at 6:00 PM after the Concluding remarks and vote of thanks by the Ex ‑Secretary.-Dr. PO Abraham

Dr P. O. Abraham
Executive ‑Secretary– SDF & GMF