Michael Douglas Said Giving Oral Sex Caused His Throat Cancer

Michael Douglas revealed the cause of his throat cancer was not smoking and drinking – as he previously believed — but instead by performing oral sex.

The 68-year-old actor was incredibly honest in an interview with The Guardian, explaining that he learned his cancer was caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

“Without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV, which actually comes about from cunnilingus,” he said.

The actor, currently enjoying rave reviews for his performance as famed pianist Liberace, told the British newspaper that he though the diagnosis three years ago was sure to be a fatal one. The onslaught of bad news — including his son’s incarceration and his rehabilitation stint for his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who suffers from Bipolar disorder – led him to believe stress was a trigger.

“I did worry if the stress caused by my son’s incarceration didn’t help trigger it,” Douglas said. “But yeah, it’s a sexually transmitted disease that causes cancer. And if you have it, cunnilingus is also the best cure for it.”

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, one tract of HPV — known as HPV16 — is known to be linked to oral cancer, manifesting itself in the back regions of the throat and mouth.

The “Wall Street” actor has been open about the incredible discovery of a walnut sized tumor in his throat almost nine months too late. In an interview with New York Magazine, Douglas detailed symptoms of toothaches and infections that stumped doctors.

“After complaining for nine months and them not finding anything, and then they told me I was stage four?” he said. “That was a big day.”

Noticeably thin for months, the actor lost 45 lbs while undergoing treatment.

“The amount of chemo I was getting, it zaps all the good stuff too,” he said. “It made me very weak.”

Now, two years cancer free, Douglas said playing Liberace – who died of illnesses related to AIDS — was a “beautiful gift.”

“It was right after my cancer, and this beautiful gift was handed to me. I’m eternally grateful,” he said. “For this to come along, when you’re wondering if you have a career — you’ve had this big hiatus, you don’t know what repercussions cancer has for being hired. It was something to look forward to.”