Crossing all boundaries, Poonam Pandey, an Indian model and erotic actress, shocked the public by orchestrating a fake death announcement. Her team officially declared on her Instagram handle last Friday, "Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer." After receiving condolences and sympathy from the people on the internet, media, and industry who fell for this publicity stunt, another ridiculous video surfaced where she said this whole act was to “elevate awareness about cervical cancer”. This stunt has triggered widespread outrage among the public and media.
Schbang, the agency representing Poonam Pandey, issued an apology for designing the actor's death stunt last week, leading to demands for a criminal investigation. The controversial "heartfelt apology" from Schbang stirred up further controversy as they justified the insensitive act, labeling it as an "action driven by the mission to elevate awareness about cervical cancer." The statement highlighted Poonam's personal connection, acknowledging her mother's brave battle with cancer and emphasizing Poonam's understanding of the importance of prevention and awareness.
Following allegations of resorting to extreme measures, the team expressed their sincere apology, particularly to those who may have been distressed due to personal experiences with, or witnessing a loved one go through the challenges of any form of cancer.
Regardless of the actress's current claims about promoting a cause, it is evident that this is a blatant and cheap publicity stunt carried out under the guise of cancer awareness, sparking public outrage. Legal actions are now underway against the actress, with the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) calling an FIR against Poonam Pandey. Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, the founder of AICWA, released a statement condemning the actress for resorting to such a low tactic for mere publicity. He accused her of manipulating people's emotions and suggested that if she genuinely wanted to raise awareness, she should have approached the government, an NGO, or conducted a media conference. Gupta further mentioned that he has requested the Mumbai Police Commissioner to register an FIR against Poonam and her manager.
About Cervical Cancer
Globally, cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most prevalent cancer among women, with approximately 604,000 new cases and 342,000 fatalities reported in 2020. The primary cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a widespread sexually transmitted infection that can impact the skin, genital region, and throat. Women who are HIV-positive face a sixfold higher risk of developing cervical cancer compared to those without HIV.
Prevention
Receiving vaccination between the ages of 9 to 14 proves highly effective in preventing HPV infection, cervical cancer, and other cancers associated with HPV. Screening starting at the age of 30 (or 25 years for women living with HIV) can identify cervical abnormalities, and timely treatment not only addresses the disease but also serves as a preventive measure against cervical cancer. Regardless of age, if there are symptoms or concerns, early detection followed by prompt and quality treatment can lead to the cure of cervical cancer.
