'Oral sex caused my cancer' - Hollywood Actor Michael Douglas reveals

Hollywood actor Michael Douglas has claimed that his throat cancer was caused by performing oral sex on women.

The star, who fought a six month battle with the disease from August 2010 until January 2011, had initially believed that it was his years of smoking and drinking that had lead to the illness.

However, in a new interview the 68-year-old said that the particular strain he had suffered with was caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S.

 

Last year Cancer Research UK said that the rising rates of HPV-positive cases of oral cancer could be linked to oral sex. World Health Organisation figures have also linked HPV to more than 5 per cent of cancers worldwide.

HPV can be passed between men and women by genital contact, most often during vaginal and anal sex. It may also be passed on during oral sex and genital-to-genital contact. HPV can be passed on between straight and same-sex partners - even when the infected person shows no symptoms.

Douglas made the frank admission about how he developed the illness during an interview with The Guardian newspaper when he was asked if he had regretted smoking and drinking in the past.

Douglas candidly replied: 'No. Because without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV, which actually comes about from cunnilingus.'

Douglas, who is married to Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, was diagnosed with cancer in August 2010 after a walnut-sized tumour was found on his tongue.

His health troubles started just a few months after his eldest son Cameron - from his first marriage to Diandra Luker - was jailed for drug possession and dealing.

The actor admitted he initially believed his disease had been triggered by the stress over his son's legal troubles.

He explained: '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.'

Douglas was diagnosed with stage four of the disease and underwent an intense course of chemotherapy and radiation.

Eventually, he was given the all-clear, although he still has to undergo check-ups with doctors every six months.

However, the actor is optimistic he has conquered the disease once and for all.

'With this kind of cancer, 95 per cent of the time it doesn't come back,' he said.