On the front page of the on-line N.Y. Daily News, the headline reads, Michael Douglas, " Oral Sex Caused My Cancer." There is a article linked to it, most of which everyone knows about, but mentions specific oral sex caused it, not smoking or drinking, and mentions Oral Cancer Foundation. I did not link the article here, due to the unkind remarks of contributors. I think this will bring the much needed attention to HPV Oral/Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Hopefully, it will end up being a teaching/learning experience. I have many questions about HPV but I haven't found anyone that can answer me.

I saw a couple comments from people that were irate the oral sex comment was brought up when it cannot be proven. I think getting visibility to something somewhat controllable will do great things towards eradication/herd-immunity. If one doesn't smoke it could be assumed the cause of the cancer would not be smoking although I believe the damage from smoking alters DNA and passes on to children in the form of damaged genes.

I was astonished at some of the cruel commentary, so I've registered and had a say (as howaboutlara). Does this American paper have a large circulation? If so, it may be worth others putting their bit in, as well.

As soon as I saw that comment, i just KNEW it was you Samkl . I find the ignorance winds me up too much so I just can't get involved in those ridiculous conversations anymore. Good on you for laying out the facts though.

Here's the interview in the Guardian (along with a sidebar) that the NY Daily News article is based on. There's also an article in the New York Post.

N.Y. Daily News has a huge ciculation. it's in the N.Y. Post too, another large paper. and probably be in all of them. The NY Post stopped readers from commenting on articles about 6 months ago, which was worse than the NY Daily News, as far as comments, probably because it's a trash newspaper. Some in the past were crazy, stupid, political, ads, funny. Obama was always mentioned in many comments, surprised he is not blamed here lol.

Thanks Leslie for posting the link, which has no rude comments.

I was so disgusted with many of the NY Daily News comments. How ignorant can people be?

I am dumbfounded by the reaction on air by my local FOX news team to this story! They didn't want to hear it, and basically said that he can't say HPV/oral sex caused his cancer because he doesn't know for sure! "TMI", they said--"moving on"
They compared his story to Angelina Jolie's, and said while she was doing a great public service, but that 'we don't need to hear this' from MIchael Douglas.

I formulated an email to FOX, but can't figure out how to get it to them, so I'll post it here instead.....

'I am disappointed in Fox News reaction Michael Douglas coming out with the news that his throat cancer was caused by the HPV virus.
TMI they said????? Really? HPV is becoming the leading cause of head and neck cancer! Six years ago as a 41 one year old woman in excellent health, I was diagnosed with stage 2/3 tonsil cancer. CAUSED BY THE HPV VIRUS. How do throat cancer patients know there cancers are caused by the HPV virus? We don't guess-----the tumors are tested for HPV markers! If Michael Douglas is claiming that his cancer was caused by the HPV virus it is because he KNOWS that his tumor tested positive for it!!! Not because he is 'guessing' as the Fox team claimed.
The team was claiming that Angelina Jolie was doing a great public service, and countered with "we don't need to hear this from Michael Douglas". Are you kidding me????
Angelina is brave? Do you have ANY idea what treatment for head and neck cancers entails??? Feeding tubes, drastic weight loss, chemo, radiation, and lifelong complications as a result of this aggressive treatment. ANYONE, including Michael Douglas, who has gone through this aggressive treatment are the brave ones.
Educate yourselves, Fox News team.
Very disappointed.'


I don't post much on here anymore, but this really irked me this morning!