Douglas dithers over cancer cause

Michael Douglas at the Cannes Film Festival. Photo/AP

Actor backpedals on comments about oral-sex link to illness but says he's happy to be disease's poster boy.

Michael Douglas says he'd win a Nobel Prize if he knew exactly what caused his throat cancer.

The Wall Street star's spokesman denies he blames his throat cancer specifically on oral sex, but Douglas says he's happy to raise awareness about causes of the killer disease.

"I never expected to become a poster boy for head and neck cancer," Douglas said in comments issued by a spokesman yesterday.

"But, if after what started out as trying to answer a couple of questions about the suspected sources of this disease results in opening up discussion and furthering public awareness, then I'll stand by that."

In an interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper, Douglas, who stars in the just-released biopic of flamboyant entertainer Liberace, Behind The Candelabra, said 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 from cunnilingus," he said, in comments the paper said amounted to blaming oral sex for his cancer.

Douglas' spokesman Allen Burry said that the 68-year-old actor was talking in general, not personal terms.

"This is not the cause of his cancer," he said. Yesterday, Douglas himself added: "Head and neck cancer can be caused by many things including HPV virus, smoking, alcohol, drug abuse, genes, environment and stress.

"I do not know what caused my particular cancer. If I did I'd have a Nobel Prize. I do know that I am here today because of all the incredible advances in cancer research and treatment. Early awareness is key.

"If this episode contributes to public awareness, all the better."

But the British newspaper stuck to its guns over the issue. It posted an audio clip of the interview on its website and insisted that Douglas had been referring to his own cancer being caused by cunnilingus.

- AAP