Celebrity3 min(s) read
Published 13:17 06 May 2026 GMT
Michael Douglas issued a public apology to his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, after saying oral sex was a potential cause and cure for cancer.
In 2010, the actor, known for his roles in films like Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction, was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer.
After successfully undergoing both chemotherapy and radiation, the star made a full recovery.
He has been cancer-free since 2011.
The award-winning actor opened up about his battle during a 2013 interview with The Guardian, claiming that the cancer was caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and that oral sex could be a cure.
He was asked whether years of smoking, drinking, and drug use might have been responsible for his illness, and responded: "No. Because without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV [human papillomavirus], which actually comes about from cunnilingus."
"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," he added.
These comments raised questions, especially considering Douglas’s lack of medical expertise.
Medical professionals quickly pointed out that his theory was medically unsound.
In a 2015 interview to promote his film Beyond the Reach, the actor clarified his statements.
"I so regretted any embarrassment that it caused Catherine," he shared with Event magazine.
"What I was trying to say was that there is a sexually transmitted virus called HPC, but there is a vaccination that they recommend to all kids before they become sexually active so they don’t catch HPC, which is a cause of certain types of cancer – cervical cancer, tongue and throat," he added.
Douglas stressed that he intended to raise awareness about HPV and cancer prevention.
"No," he responded when asked if oral sex could cure cancer.
"I was trying to make a public service announcement."
The couple have been married since November 2000 and share two kids: daughter Carys and share their son Dylan. Douglas shared a 47-year-old son, Cameron, with his ex-wife, Diandra Luker.
Last October, Zeta-Jones spoke about sharing a birthday with her husband in an interview with the Sunday Times.
"We respect our space, we’re independent spirits," she said.
"We are very similar; we were born on the same day, 25 years apart."
"We’re not afraid to be verbal, to express ourselves," she continued.
"I wear everything on my sleeve and so does he, which is good."
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