Did an STD really cause Michael Douglas's cancer?

By Lisa Collier Cool Jun 03, 2013 9 Recommend

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In an interview with The Guardian, Michael Douglas seemed to be blaming his throat cancer on a sexually transmitted disease called HPV. However, a representative for the actor now disputes the newspapers headline, which stated that Douglas near-fatal illness was caused by oral sex. Instead, USA Today reports, the star of Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction was discussing a potential cause of some oral cancers, according to the spokesperson. When asked if he regretted the years of smoking and drinking that often cause throat cancer, Douglas told The Guardian, "No. Because without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV [human papillomavirus], which actually comes about from cunnilingus." The controversy about the cause of Douglas disease has raised questions about the link between HPVnow the most common STD in the US, striking most sexually active men and women during their lifetimes, according to the CDC and risk for certain cancers. About six million new cases of genital HPV occur each year in the US, but most dont cause cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Heres a look at what you can do to protect yourself. Cancer and Your Diet: Make the Right Choices

What causes oral cancer and who is at risk?

Head and neck cancersa category that includes cancers of the mouth, throat, and larynxstruck more than 52,000 Americans in 2012, according to the National Cancer Institute. This type of cancer kills about 8,000 Americans a year, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Of those who are newly diagnosed with this disease, only about half will still be alive in five years. Historically, the #1 risk factor has been tobacco use. People who both smoke

and drink heavilyas Douglas reportedly didhave 15 times higher risk for oral cancer. Excessive sun exposure to the lips ups the danger of developing mouth cancer, the Mayo Clinic adds. However, the latest research suggests that the fastest growing group of oral cancer patients is nonsmokers under age 50. There has also been a shift in where oral cancers occur, from areas that are usually affected in smokers to oral cavity sites linked to HPV infection, the Oral Cancer Foundation reports. 10 Biggest Health Risks for Men

How does HPV affect oral and throat cancer risk?

The Mouth Cancer Foundation reports the following research findings: People infected with HPV are 32 times more likely to develop oral or throat cancer, according to a study published in New England Journal of Medicine. That dwarfs the danger linked to smoking (which triples risk) or drinking (which raises it by 2.5 times). HPV now triggers more head and neck cancers than tobacco or alcohol. The two most dangerous forms of HPVHPV-16 and HPV-18cause up to 95 percent of cervical cancers and have also been linked to oral cancers. In a Johns Hopkins study of 253 patients with head and neck cancers, 25 percent of the tumors tested positive for HPV, most commonly HPV-16. Another study found that smoking and drinking contribute to HPV invasion in the mouth.

What other health risks are linked to HPV infection?

There are more than 150 types of HPVs and more than 40 of them can be spread through sexual contact, the National Cancer Institute warns. At any given time, 42.5 percent of women have genital HPV infections, and less than 7 percent of adults have oral HPV. Most of these infections dont lead to cancer. However, some strains cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, mouth, and throat.

There are two types of sexually transmitted HPVs, according to the NCI: Low-risk HPVs that dont cause cancer, but can trigger warts around the genitals or anus. High-risk HPVs that cause cancer. There are at least a dozen high-risk HPVs, which are the culprits in about 5 percent of all cancer cases, worldwide. Rates of HPV oral cancer have risen sharply over the past 20 years, particularly among men, says the NCI. Additionally, more than 12,000 American women develop cervical cancer annually and more than 4,000 die from it, with almost all cases triggered by HPV. The virus is also the main cause of anal cancer, which affects more than 5,000 Americans a year.

What are the best ways to avoid HPV infection?

The most reliable way to avoid HPV is to abstain from sex. The disease doesnt always cause symptoms and there is no FDA-approved test to check men for HPV, the NCI reports. There are tests for women. Using condoms consistently reduces risk but doesnt provide complete protection, experts report. There are also two FDA-approved HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix. Both vaccines are highly effective in preventing infections with HPV types 16 and 18. Gardasil also prevents infection with HPV types 6 and 11. However, Gardasil and Cervarix only work if theyre given before infection with HPV occurs, so doctors advise vaccinating kids before theyre sexually active. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends girls be vaccinated at age 11 or 12, though the three-dose series of shots can started as early as age 9. For boys, the ACIP advises vaccination with Gardasil at ages 11 or 12. If you do develop HPV, avoiding smoking and heavy drinking may help reduce the risk of oral cancer.