Catching cancer in its early stages significantly increases the chances of effective treatment, and Michael Douglas is using his platform to help raise awareness about oral cancers by discussing his own symptoms.
The renowned actor surprised many by announcing he had been diagnosed with stage four throat cancer.
Douglas has been open about potential causes of his condition, attributing it to oral sex. In a 2013 interview with The Guardian, he mentioned his cancer was linked to oral sex, specifically citing ‘cunnilingus’ as a factor.
“Ah, without getting too specific, this particular cancer is caused by something called HPV [human papillomavirus], which actually comes about from cunnilingus,” he stated during the interview.
Despite later denying the statement, the publication stood by their report, confirming they had an audio recording and provided a full transcript of the interaction.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that HPV can lead to oral cancer, as well as cervical cancer, and is the most prevalent viral sexually transmitted infection in the United States.
There are over 100 types of HPV, with approximately 15 variants associated with an increased risk of cancer.
At an awards event, Douglas remarked: “I never expected to become a poster boy for head and neck cancer, but, if after what started out as trying to answer a couple of questions about the suspected sources of this disease results in opening up discussion and furthering public awareness, then I’ll stand by that.”
He disclosed that his health issues began in 2010.
Michael has partnered with the Oral Cancer Foundation to elevate awareness and has shared his experiences with symptoms in hopes of assisting others.
He recounted suffering from a persistent sore throat and making numerous doctor visits without success.
His condition was repeatedly misdiagnosed as a throat infection.
It was only after consulting a doctor friend in Montreal that the true cause was identified.
“I will always remember the look on his face,” Douglas recalled.
“He said: ‘We need a biopsy.’ There was a walnut-size tumor at the base of my tongue that no other doctor had seen.”
He was subsequently diagnosed with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma oral cancer and initially feared he might require partial jaw removal.
The treatment was a combination of radiation and chemotherapy, and according to the charity, he is now ‘cancer free and in good health’.
The side effects of the treatment were severe, including burns to his palate.
Douglas opted against a feeding tube, resulting in a significant weight loss of 20kg (45 pounds) on a liquids-only diet, leaving him ‘very weak’.
“That’s a rough ride. That can really take it out of you,” he said. “Plus the amount of chemo I was getting, it zaps all the good stuff too. It made me very weak.”
The actor from Fatal Attraction speculated: “I did worry if the stress caused by my son’s incarceration didn’t help trigger it. But yeah, it’s a sexually transmitted disease that causes cancer. And if you have it, cunnilingus is also the best cure for it.”
However, Mahesh Kumar, a consultant and head and neck surgeon in London, challenged Michael’s assertion that more sex was a cure: “Maybe he thinks that more exposure to the virus will boost his immune system. But medically, that just doesn’t make sense.”
The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that approximately 48,250 people in the US will receive a new diagnosis of oral cancer annually.