Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Finn Wolfhard, Stranger Things famed actor has recently opened up about the anxiety he had encountered in the early days of filming the series. In an interview with Variety, he said that he had often been worried about doing the 'wrong thing' on the set, and it had caused him anxiety. He is also known for his role in IT.
He revealed that it was due to his hectic schedule during the filming of Stranger Things that he had to overlook his anxiety. He was 13 at the time of filming the first season in 2016. However, he agreed, the therapy sessions have helped him. "It is something that's worked for me."
The actor, now, 22, said, "I can either try to bury that stuff and just do project after project, not think about it, or be able to ask myself these questions," talking about his anxiety. He shared that he is constantly worried about getting things right, which is what makes him anxious. He said that he is constantly worried about "saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing in social situations, doing the wrong thing in my career, disappointing people."
Young stars have often dealt with mental health issues, and Wolfhard is unfortunately not the first one to deal with it.
The pop singer debuted when she was only 13. She has now become the voice for anxiety and depression. She is often credited to be one of the most sincere and open public figures to share her stories about mental health and coping with problems. She has been open about her experienced with depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia, the themes also reflected in her music, and even the clothes she chooses to wear in the music videos.
The pop singer debuted in 2002 with her first role in Barney & Friends at the age of 7. Now, at 33, she has come a long way and not only openly discussed about her mental health journey, but also contributed to the cause. She has opened up about growing up in the public eye and struggling with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
She also rose to fame as a Disney star, from the show called Hannah Montana, when she was only 13. Growing up in the public eye led her to struggle with body dysmorphia, along with the intense scrutiny she had faced from a young age. When she transitioned from a Disney star to a solo artist, trying to find her own identity, she again encountered significant public criticism for her image change. She talked about it in length in her TikTok series called 'Used to be Young'.
Rising to fame as a child star on Disney Channel, she also experienced the same challenges of growing up in the public eye. She made her debut at the age of 10. She has opened up about her challenges and the pressure to be successful, which has led to substance abuse, eating disorders, and anxiety at a young age. In 2023, she directed a documentary titled Child Star, which explored the effects of early fame on young stars.
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He made his debut in the music world at the age of 15, and very soon became one of the biggest pop stars in the world. Transitioning from boyhood to adulthood attracted a lot of scrutiny, including in his personal life and relationships. He struggled with anxiety and depression. In the recent years, he had openly shared his battles and about seeking therapy and working on his personal growth. His music too has evolved and often touches on the themes of self-reflection and emotional healing.
As per the British Psychological Society, the demanding nature of film, sets, drama, and shooting schedules creates significant psychological stress for the child stars.
Shauna Springer, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist who focuses on psychological trauma and close relationship on range of pop culture topics tells Complex, especially in the case of Britney Spears that child actors could be prone to exploitation by a legal guardian, whether financially or emotionally. This can lead to mental health or substance abuse challenges at a young age. Furthermore, Springer shared, "Money and fame bring a level of social power that is hard for a mature adult to navigate. Children who have to navigate this without the support of a trustworthy adult are outwardly powerful while being deeply vulnerable at the same time."
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Springer further added, "Navigating these changes as an adult can be stressful, even with trustworthy support and guidance. For child stars, these sudden changes can be overwhelming and may in some cases be associated with the onset of substance abuse and other challenges.”
Credit: Canva
Even as India is working to roll out a free Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to curb cervical cancer risk, a new global study today revealed that the shot offers sustained protection for up to 18 years.
HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, and many countries offer vaccination to protect girls against cervical cancer and other related cancers in later life.
The study from Sweden, published by The BMJ, based on 926,362 girls and women between 2006 and 2023, showed that girls vaccinated before age 17 had a substantially (79 percent) lower risk of cervical cancer.
"This study provides evidence of sustained protection against invasive cervical cancer throughout 18 years of follow-up, with no indication of waning protection," said corresponding author Shiqiang Wu, doctoral student at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet.
"These findings further support global strategies for eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by achieving high coverage of routine HPV vaccination," Wu added.
In the study, 40 percent of participants had received at least one dose of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine.
Of 930 cases identified of invasive cervical cancer, 97 were in vaccinated individuals, while 833 were among the unvaccinated.
Vaccination before age 17 offered higher protection -- 79 percent -- against cervical cancer compared with the unvaccinated group. The protection was sustained with 77 percent lower risk for over 15 years after vaccination, the researchers said.
On the other hand, women vaccinated at age 17 or older had a 37 percent lower risk of invasive cervical cancer compared with the unvaccinated group. Vaccination at an older age led to a 46 percent lower risk of cervical cancer -- about 10–12 years.
The results also show a population-level decline in cervical cancer cases over time.
Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India, with nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths reported annually.
The new nationwide HPV vaccination program will strengthen women's health and eliminate the risks of preventable cervical cancers in the country.
Vaccination under the national program will be voluntary and free of cost.
The nationwide program, based on expert recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), will target girls aged 14 years.
At 14, the HPV vaccine offers maximum preventive benefit, well before potential exposure to the virus.
The HPV vaccination will be conducted exclusively at designated government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centers), Community Health Centers, Sub-District and District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges.
Credit: Canva
Pregnancy is a period of immense physiological change. While most people focus on visible transformations, the heart and blood vessels undergo some of the most significant adjustments.
The body of a woman increases blood volume by around 30-50 percent to support the growth of the baby. The heart works harder, pumping more blood every minute.
For most of the women, these changes are normal and well-tolerated. In some cases, fluctuations in blood pressure and underlying cardiac risks can pose some serious complications if not identified at an early stage.
Blood pressure does not remain the same throughout the pregnancy. In early pregnancy, it often drops slightly due to changes in hormones that relax the blood vessels. By the second and third trimesters, it may gradually rise again as the volume of blood increases. While mild variation is normal, high blood pressure requires careful monitoring.
After 20 weeks of pregnancy, gestational hypertension develops, which can also progress to preeclampsia -- a potentially dangerous condition characterized by high blood pressure, particularly impacting the liver and kidneys. If left untreated, it can also impact both maternal and fetal health.
During pregnancy, certain women are at higher risk of heart-related complications. These mainly include diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders, kidney disease, or a history of heart problems. Even those women who are not suffering from any prior cardiac illness can also develop pregnancy-related heart conditions, such as peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms that should never be untreated mainly include severe headaches, sudden swelling of hands or face, chest pain, breathlessness at rest, palpitations, or persistent fatigue beyond the expected pregnancy-related tiredness. Certain complications can also be prevented through early medical evaluation.
Some of the symptoms that should never be ignored mainly include severe headaches, sudden swelling of hands or face, chest pain, breathlessness at rest, palpitations, or persistent fatigue beyond expected pregnancy-related tiredness. Early medical evaluation can prevent certain complications.
Flow of blood to the placenta can be reduced through uncontrolled high blood pressure, leading to restricted growth of the fetus, preterm birth, or low birth weight.
Timely medical diagnosis and management significantly reduce these kinds of risks and improve the outcomes as well.
Regular antenatal checkups are considered the cornerstone of prevention. Problems can also be detected through monitoring of blood pressure at each and every visit, and appropriate blood tests and ultrasound assessments as well.
Some other factors, such as a balanced diet, controlled salt intake, adequate hydration, moderate physical activity (as advised), and stress management, also play a significant role. With proper supervision and early medical intervention, most women with fluctuations in blood pressure can also have a safe pregnancy and healthy delivery.
Pregnancy is not only about nurturing a new life, but it is also about safeguarding the maternal heart health for the future.
Credit: Canva
Cervical cancer is still one of the most common cancers for women in India. It's mostly caused by a persistent infection with the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV for short.
This virus spreads through sexual contact and often doesn't show any symptoms early on. A lot of women don't even realize they have the virus until abnormal cell changes start to show up.
The World Health Organization says that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers if people get vaccinated and screened on time.
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In India, thousands of women still die every year because they're diagnosed late and don't have enough access to regular screening. That's where the new nationwide HPV vaccination drive is starting to make a difference.
The HPV vaccine basically protects against the types of the virus that are most often linked to cervical cancer. You get it as a shot, and it works best if you get it before you're exposed to the virus, usually when you're a young teenager. But it can still help even if you get it later.
India's really pushing to get this vaccine out there, which is a big change in how they're handling public health. The idea is pretty straightforward and impactful: protect young girls before the virus can do any damage. By focusing on school-aged kids and making sure parents know about it, they're trying to fix a problem that's been around for ages.
Cervical cancer doesn't just pop up overnight. It usually takes years for an HPV infection to turn into cancer. This long window gives us a chance to prevent it. Vaccination stops the infection at the start, and screening catches early cell changes before they get serious.
Public health experts think that if enough people get vaccinated, we could prevent up to 80,000 cancer deaths in India every year over time. That number isn't just a statistic. It's about saving the lives of mothers, daughters, and sisters with a simple preventive measure.
The vaccine has been studied a lot worldwide and has strong safety and effectiveness data. Countries with high vaccination rates are already seeing big drops in HPV infections and precancerous lesions.
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Even though there's solid science behind vaccines, there's still a lot of wrong info out there. Some parents are concerned about safety or what might happen down the road. Others think getting vaccinated makes kids sexually active sooner, but studies don't back that up.
Getting the facts straight is super important for dealing with these worries. The HPV vaccine doesn't mess with fertility or hormones. It just teaches your body to fight off certain types of the virus.
Getting communities involved, having healthcare pros on board, and running educational campaigns are all crucial for building trust. When families learn that this vaccine can prevent cancer, more people are on board.
Vaccination isn't the only answer. Women who are already sexually active still need regular cervical screening. Pap smears and HPV testing are still super important for catching things early. India's bigger plan includes making screening programs at primary healthcare centers stronger. When vaccination and screening work together, the impact gets way bigger.
The World Health Organization wants to get rid of cervical cancer as a public health issue this century, and India's vaccination plan fits right in with that big goal.
This isn't just about medicine; it's about really caring for women's health and stopping problems before they start. In a country where getting cancer treatment can be tough, prevention is our best bet.
Cervical cancer is mostly preventable. If we keep vaccinating, have good screening, and make sure everyone knows the facts, we could save thousands of lives every year. This campaign is a huge step towards a future where cervical cancer is rare, not something we just expect.
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