Bollywood star Poonam Pandey fakes death to raise awareness for cervical cancer

Fans of the Indian actress Poonam Pandey were concerned as a post appeared on her Instagram on Friday, claiming that she had succumbed to cervical cancer. While many extended their condolences to the family, others considered it a hoax. In the photos uploaded before the death announcement, Poonam Pandey seemed to be in good health, contrasting the image typically associated with terminally ill patients.

Soon after the controversial post, a video surfaced on Poonam Pandey's Instagram the next day, in which she revealed the purpose of the stunt. She confirmed she is alive but highlighted that thousands of women can't say the same. Pandey used this example to focus on cervical cancer's early detection and the significance of HPV vaccinations, which can prevent the development of this type of cancer.

Pandey, in an additional Instagram video, apologized to everyone upset by the news about her death. She admits she wanted to cause a reaction, an intention that proved successful, sparking conversations around cervical cancer in Indian and global media, which was her primary objective.

This calculated move happened between January and February, a period selected intentionally. January is known as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. According to an estimate, more than 3,000 women lose their lives to it annually in Poland alone. The WHO stated that over 604,000 women worldwide were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2020, leading to the deaths of 342,000 women.

Cervical cancer can be treated if diagnosed timely, with experts suggesting a pap smear every two years. Doctors also strongly encourage HPV vaccinations as they significantly lower the risk of contracting the virus.