Yesterday, Poonam Pandey’s official Instagram account shared a shocking post that the model-turned-actress is no more. Known for her bold personality, Pandey was a household name, and the news of her death left everyone stunned.
The post read that she succumbed to cervical cancer, “This Morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform you that have lost our beloved Poonam Pandey to cervical cancer. Every living form that came in contact with her was met with pure love and kindness. In this time of grief. We would request for privacy while we remember her fondly for all that we share.”
This left netizens bewildered as she was sharing her photos and videos from an event a mere four days ago. Moreover, it wasn’t publicly known that the actress was diagnosed with cervical cancer, nor did any of her recent public appearances or social media posts hint at the fact that she was severely unwell.
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Talking to many publications, even her manager and public representatives confirmed that she recived the news of her diagnosis last month, when her cancer had already progressed to its last stage. Her manager said that they couldn’t do anything because it was already too late.
But then the very next day, in an unsurprising turn of events, the erotic actress published two videos to her account, stating, if you'd believe it, that she is actually alive. Trying to act all righteous, she said "Cervical cancer didn't claim me, but tragically, it has claimed the lives of thousands of women who stemmed from a lack of knowledge on how to tackle this disease."
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While this whole charade did bring her the two seconds of fame that seemed to be her ulterior motive, how much it helps or damages the conversation surrounding cervical cancer, only time will tell. Nevertheless, it does highlight one thing- just how much attention we need to pay to this deadly disease which is largely shrouded by misinformation and ignorance.
Cervical Cancer Risk Factors
Cervical cancer is a significant health concern that affects women worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with almost 6 lakh new cases and 3.5 lakh deaths reported in 2020.
Talking to the team of OnlyMyHealth, Dr Inder Maurya, Emergency Medicine, MD, Foreign OPD said, “After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer seen in Indian women and it is primarily caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). It is shocking the number of deaths and cases we see of cervical cancer because this type of cancer can be completely eradicated if the patients receive timely screening and vaccination.”
Also Read: Nirmala Sitharaman Focuses On HPV In Union Budget 2024, Diet Tips To Follow After HPV Diagnosis
Sharing about its risk factors with the team of OnlyMyHealth, Dr Shanthala Thuppanna, Head of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Sakra World Hospital, listed:
HPV Infection
HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to the development of cervical cancer over time. It usually spreads through skin-to-skin contact or during oral, vaginal and anal sex, and is one of the most important and common risk factors for developing cervical cancer. Not all HPV infections result in cancer, but persistent infections can increase the risk.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can weaken the body’s immune system and make it difficult to fight cervical cancer-causing HPV infection. Moreover, chlamydia can also lead to cervical cancer.
Lifestyle Habits
Smoking can increase the risk of cervical cancer by two times as it damages the body’s immune system, lowering its efficacy against cancer-causing infections, meanwhile introducing cancer-causing chemicals into the body. Multiple sexual partners and becoming sexually active at an early age are also equally risky concerning cervical cancer and HPV.
Reproductive Medications
Oral contraceptive pills that contain synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone can also increase the risk of cervical cancer especially when consumed for a prolonged period.
Other Risk Factors
Women who have upwards of three full-term pregnancies or were younger than 17 during their first pregnancy have a higher chance of developing cervical cancer.
Also Read: Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: How Does HPV Cause Cervical Cancer?
Cervical Cancer Prevention And Treatment
Talking about some early signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, Dr Maurya listed:
- Pain in the pelvic region
- Blood in vaginal discharge
- A significant change in the odour of the vaginal discharge
- Bleeding after menopause
- Painful intercourse
- Bleeding during or after intercourse
Talking about ways to prevent cervical cancer, Dr Maurya said, “It is possible to prevent and treat cervical cancer if you consult a good doctor immediately upon seeing these above-mentioned signs.”Practice these measures to prevent the risk of cervical cancer:
- Check if you are eligible for HPV vaccine and get it promptly.
- Practice safe sex by avoiding multiple sexual partners, maintaining genital and general hygiene, getting tested regularly, and also using a condom.
- Get timely screening for cervical cancer and HPV, especially if you are sexually active.
- Quit smoking
Cervical Cancer Treatment
Dr Dadasaheb Akolkar, Director of Research, and Innovations, Datar Cancer Genetics Ltd, shared with the team of OnlyMyHealth, “The most common way to treat cervical cancer is surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of these three.”
He urged, “The simplest way to prevent cervical cancer is by regular screening for early detection and diagnosis. There is a huge reluctance and shyness among women to undergo periodic screening because the existing methods are quite invasive. Advanced non-invasive techniques like blood-based screening will ease this reluctance.”
The news of Poonam Pandey’s passing is deeply saddening and has opened the gateway for a more stringent discussion on the attention that cervical cancer deserves. Concluding their statement, the three experts agreed that understanding cervical cancer is the most crucial step in promoting women's health. Remember, seeking guidance from healthcare professionals is essential for personalised care and support on the journey towards cervical health. RIP Poonam Pandey, you will be missed!