Health3 min(s) read
Actor was diagnosed with cancer from oral sex after noticing one specific symptom
A Hollywood actor has revealed how he discovered his cancer diagnosis could have been the result of contracting a virus that can be transmitted through oral sex.
Sam Riegel, a voice actor known for his work on the 2003 television series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Dungeons & Dragons show Critical Role, was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in 2024, but has since recovered.
Actor discusses symptoms after cancer diagnosis
The actor revealed how he began experiencing an unusual symptom that initially left him wondering whether he had Covid, after noticing he could no longer taste sweet foods, he explained that his usual morning bowl of oatmeal had started tasting bitter, despite being topped with honey and berries.
What initially appeared to be a change in his sense of taste ultimately led to a cancer diagnosis, with medical investigations confirming that Sam had oropharyngeal carcinoma, a type of cancer affecting the back of the throat, including the tonsils, according to Keck Medicine.
He also discussed experiencing a persistent tickling sensation in his throat, which added to his suspicion that something was wrong, leading a doctor to reportedly feel his tonsils before telling him she suspected cancer.
Fortunately, his surgeon offered some reassurance when they first spoke.
He was told: “Good news - you don't die from this”.
Despite the positive outlook, the diagnosis was particularly frightening given his profession, and as a voice actor, he was understandably concerned about the possibility of losing his ability to speak professionally.
“As a voice actor, I was particularly anxious about regaining my voice and diction,” he admitted.
The treatment also left him dealing with a number of difficult side effects, revealing: “My salivary glands were damaged. My mouth was constantly dry. Scar tissue was tight in my throat, and neck muscles were raw.”
Cancer diagnosis linked to HPV
He later discovered that his cancer was linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including oral sex. While is HPV widely associated with cervical cancer, it can also cause cancers affecting the mouth and throat.
Oral sex can lead to transmission from a person’s mouth or throat. Although people without a cervix cannot develop cervical cancer, they can still develop HPV-related cancers elsewhere in the body.
Thankfully, Sam has since made a full recovery and managed to regain his voice following treatment and extensive rehabilitation, explaining that regular exercises targeting his vocal cords, jaw, neck and tongue helped him rebuild his speaking ability.
“Thanks to daily vocal, jaw, neck and tongue exercises, I regained my voice,” he revealed. “After months of physical therapy, my mouth strength and flexibility improved. And about a year after radiation, my taste and saliva came back.”
Looking back on his experience, Sam said he is now feeling healthy again and has been able to put the frightening diagnosis into perspective.
“When it does come up, I’m able to laugh about my experiences and share tips with other folks going through it.”