Michael Douglas’s response upon learning his cancer was linked to oral sex
Michael Douglas’s reaction to his stage four throat cancer diagnosis was unconventional, especially considering the cause he revealed—an infection linked to oral sex.
The renowned actor, now 80 years old, has been open about his past struggles with substance abuse, including periods of heavy smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use. Additionally, his candidness about his personal life and challenges has frequently drawn public attention.
In 1992, Douglas made headlines when he voluntarily admitted himself to a rehabilitation facility in Arizona to address his alcohol dependency. While some reports at the time suggested he was also seeking help for a sexual addiction, Douglas later denied this specific claim.
Years later, in 2013, Douglas sparked controversy when he attributed his throat cancer to the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus he said he contracted through oral sex, specifically cunnilingus. Although he initially denied making this statement, a reputable news outlet produced both audio and written evidence confirming his remarks.
When questioned about whether his lifestyle—marked by drug use, smoking, and drinking—had contributed to his illness, Douglas replied, “No. No. Ah, without getting too specific, this particular cancer is caused by something called HPV [human papillomavirus], which actually comes about from cunnilingus.”
HPV is recognized as one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses in the United States. According to the Cleveland Clinic, certain strains of HPV are known to cause changes in cervical cells that can lead to cervical cancer. More recently, research has shown that the virus can also affect the cells in the throat, leading to oropharyngeal cancers.
Douglas also mentioned the emotional stress he endured during his son’s incarceration and speculated whether that might have contributed to triggering his cancer. He explained to the interviewer, “But yeah, it’s a sexually transmitted disease that causes cancer. And if you have it, cunnilingus is also the best cure for it,” a statement that raised eyebrows and was later met with medical skepticism.
His diagnosis came after months of persistent oral discomfort, which led to multiple medical consultations. It was only when a friend’s doctor in Montreal examined him that a critical discovery was made. “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.”
Douglas was subsequently diagnosed with stage four throat cancer, a severe form often considered life-threatening. He underwent an intense eight-week regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. During this period, despite severe discomfort and a burning sensation on his palate, Douglas refused the use of a feeding tube. As a result, he endured a significant weight loss of about 20 kilograms (approximately 45 pounds) while surviving on a liquids-only diet.
“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.”
Fortunately, Douglas received the all-clear two years after treatment and has remained in remission since then.
Medical experts, however, have offered differing perspectives on the relationship between HPV and throat cancer. Mahesh Kumar, a consultant head and neck surgeon based in London, acknowledged that HPV type 16 can be a causative factor in oropharyngeal cancer. Nonetheless, he expressed doubts that HPV alone could account for Douglas’s cancer. Kumar also dismissed Douglas’s suggestion that engaging in more oral sex could serve as a remedy. “Maybe he thinks that more exposure to the virus will boost his immune system. But medically, that just doesn’t make sense,” Kumar explained.
Douglas’s case is not unique. Frank Lane, a 60-year-old from the UK, reported a similar diagnosis. Doctors identified a large tumor in Lane’s mouth, which they attributed to an HPV infection likely contracted through oral sex.
Michael Douglas’s openness about his diagnosis has helped shed light on the link between HPV and throat cancers, underscoring the complex ways in which lifestyle, viruses, and emotional factors can intersect in serious health conditions.
Source: The Guardian, Cleveland Clinic, and statements from Michael Douglas.