Actor Poonam Pandey is not being considered as the brand ambassador for the government’s national cervical cancer awareness campaign, Union Health Ministry officials said on Wednesday.
Poonam Pandey Clarifies Death Hoax and Advocates for Cervical Cancer
The explanation came after sources claimed Ms Pandey is expected to be the campaign’s face, and she and her team are in negotiations with ministry officials.
Earlier this month, news of Ms Pandey’s “death” from the condition dominated the headlines, sparking heated debate on social media. It was then revealed that the story was fabricated and was a hoax taken off by the actress and her crew to raise “critical awareness” about cervical cancer.
On February 3, Ms Pandey shared a video on her official Instagram page saying “I feel compelled to share something significant with you all ‘” I am here, alive.” “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,” the 32-year-old added.
Advocacy for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Immunization Efforts Gain Momentum
“Unlike some other cancers, cervical cancer is entirely preventable. The key lies in the HPV vaccine and early detection tests. We have the means to ensure no one loses their life to this disease.” “Let’s empower one another with critical awareness and ensure every woman is informed about the steps to take. Together, let’s strive to put an end to the devastating impact of the disease and bring #DeathToCervicalCancer,” she wrote.
In her interim budget statement, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the government will push immunization of girls aged 9 to 14 years to avoid cervical cancer. The Union Health Ministry said last month that it is actively monitoring the prevalence of cervical cancer in the country and is in regular contact with states and various health authorities about it.
Addressing the Burden of Cervical Cancer in India: Policy Measures and Epidemiological Insights
In June 2022, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization proposed the introduction of HPV vaccination in the universal immunization program with “a one-time catch-up for 9–14-year-old adolescent girls followed with routine introduction at nine years” the Rajya Sabha was informed in March.
India is home to around 16% of the world’s women, yet it accounts for almost a quarter of all cervical cancer incidence and nearly a third of worldwide cervical cancer mortality. Officials indicated that Indian women had a 1.6% lifetime cumulative chance of having cervical cancer and a 1% cumulative risk of dying from cervical cancer. According to contemporary estimates, about 80,000 women get cervical cancer each year in India, with 35,000 dying as a result.
