Douglas doesn't blame oral sex for his throat cancer: spokesperson

Michael Douglas talks with guests as he attends the 17th annual McGill University Head and Neck Cancer fundraiser in Montreal, Tuesday, May 3, 2011. (Graham Hughes / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Clarifiying a headline-grabbing quote from Michael Douglas, a spokesperson says the actor doesn’t blame oral sex for his recent battle with throat cancer, only that the disease can be transmitted through oral sex.

In an interview published Monday in Britain’s The Guardian newspaper, the 68-year-old actor seemed to suggest that the cancer found in his throat in 2010 was caused by HPV, a virus that can be contracted while performing oral sex on women.

Asked whether he now regretted his years of smoking and drinking – which are typically the two primary causes of throat cancer -- Douglas replied: "No. Because without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV [human papillomavirus], which actually comes about from cunnilingus."

A headline on The Guardian’s website read: “Michael Douglas: oral sex caused my cancer.”

But spokesperson Allen Burry says Douglas never said HPV was the cause of his cancer; he was simply discussing what can cause oral and throat cancers.

Douglas’s statements garnered a mixed reaction, with some saying he had “overshared” and others saying he had done a public service by discussing the risk of acquiring HPV through cunnilingus.

Still others were confused, particularly by Douglas later remark about throat cancer: "It’s a sexually transmitted disease that causes cancer,” he said before adding with a shrug, “And if you have it, cunnilingus is also the best cure for it."

It’s likely Douglas was joking with that comment, as there is no evidence that oral sex can cure oral cancer.

Dr. Mahesh Kumar, a consultant head and neck surgeon in London, said to The Guardian: "Maybe he thinks that more exposure to the virus will boost his immune system. But medically, that just doesn't make sense.”

Kumar also expressed scepticism that Douglas would be able to pinpoint the exact cause of his cancer, or be sure that his cancer was caused solely by HPV.

The Canadian Dental Association says it’s possible that the combination of smoking and HPV infection, and of alcohol and HPV infection have an “additive effect” that raise the risk of being diagnosed with oral or throat cancer.

Dr. Michael Brady, who specializes in sexual health as medical director of the Terrence Higgins Trust, told The Associated Press it’s possible oral sex could have contributed to Douglas's cancer. But he said it would be difficult to pinpoint a single cause.

He noted Douglas’ history of smoking and drinking are two key risk factors known to raise the risk of oropharyngeal cancer.

There are more than 100 types of HPV. It is estimated that more than 70 per cent of sexually active Canadian men and women will have a sexually transmitted HPV infection at some point in their lives.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, HPV infection is associated with about 25 to 35 per cent of oropharyngeal cancers.

The 68-year-old Douglas was diagnosed in 2010, but has been free of cancer for more than two years, after receiving extensive chemotherapy along with radiation.

He recently returned to acting and has been winning praise for his performance as Liberace in the TV biopic “Behind the Candelabra.”

With reports from The Associated Press