Michael Douglas Got Cancer From Oral Sex? Actor Claims He Contracted HPV From Cunnilingus

Michael Douglas is best known for his roles in films such as “The Game” and “Basic Instinct,” but, after a recent interview with the Guardian, the Hollywood star might be carrying around a new title: the actor who got throat cancer from oral sex.

The 68-year-old shared his theory about why he got a type of cancer thought to be nearly fatal at the time of his diagnosis about three years ago. When the actor was asked whether he regretted his years of drinking and smoking by the news site, which are believed to be the causes of throat cancer in most cases, the words that came out of Douglas’ mouth were astounding.

“No. Because without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV [human papillomavirus], which actually comes about from cunnilingus,” Douglas said. The famed actor married to Catherine Zeta-Jones continued: “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.”

After Douglas suffered with oral discomfort for months, he was diagnosed with Stage IV throat cancer in August 2010, the Guardian noted. A specialist missed the cancer at first, but a friend’s doctor in Montreal later discovered the tumor with the use of a tongue depressor.

“I will always remember the look on his face,” Douglas has said in the past, according to the Guardian. “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 soon began eight weeks of intensive chemotherapy and radiation. Even though his palate was burnt because of the treatment, Douglas refused to use a feeding tube. Instead, he stuck to an all-liquid diet and lost nearly 45 pounds.

“That’s a rough ride. That can really take it out of you,” he told the Guardian. “Plus the amount of chemo I was getting, it zaps all the good stuff, too. It made me very weak.” Douglas has been cancer-free for two years and gets checkups every six months. “And, with this kind of cancer, 95 percent of the time it doesn’t come back,” he said.

Douglas can be seen as Liberace in his latest movie, which co-stars Matt Damon. HBO’s “Behind The Candelabra” is a biopic about the musical superstar’s turbulent relationship with a considerably younger lover.