Cross-posted at Girl w/ Pen.
Having written about sexually transmitted HPV (human papillomavirus) for 13 years, I’ve been waiting for the day when a celebrity would lend his or her fame to spotlight the realities of HPV infection, especially of HPV-related oral cancers. That day has come: this week Michael Douglas has announced that his cancer was caused by an HPV infection that was likely transmitted through oral sex. The mucus membrane tissue of mouth and throat are similar to those of genital skin, so researchers have known for some time that, like herpes, HPV could be transmitted oral to genital, as well as genital to oral.
My hopes are that big news can be a long-needed catalyst for change. Back in 2009, the research findings were already clear: oral transmission of cancer-causing HPV means that almost all of us are more likely at risk than we are safe from risk. For my 2010 feature article in Ms. Magazine, I focused on the importance of not only educating the public about HPV-related cancers in men but also about the HPV-oral cancer link. In addition, I advocated for the need to destigmatize all STDs: my research and book have shown that STD stigma makes it more likely for at-risk/infected individuals to put off getting tested and treated. STD stigma also makes it less likely for individuals to disclose their sexual health status to partners, placing those partners at greater risk for infection. In addition, negative stereotypes about the “types” of women and men likely to be infected distort our ideas of who is at risk.
I’ll wrap up this post with a call: for us to come together, to learn the facts and not be swayed by incomplete media coverage and confusing pharmaceutical claims. We must support significant funding increases to investigate exactly how we can prevent HPV-related oral/throat cancers, which research shows to be steadily on the rise and more fatal than cervical cancers in the U.S.
Adina Nack is the author of Damaged Goods? and a professor of Sociology at California Lutheran University. She specializes in medical sociology, gender inequality, and sexual health and writes for Girl w/ Pen.
Comments 12
Adina Nack — June 4, 2013
Update (6/3/13): I was not surprised to read reports which broke today — that the actor’s rep is correcting one aspect of yesterday’s breaking news: “He did not say cunnilingus was the cause of his cancer.” All any cancer survivor probably knows is that his/her cancer was caused by HPV (viral tests and typing can be done in lab tests of biopsied tissue samples). Researchers have found that cancer-causing HPV can be transmitted to oral/throat area via oral sex. The point remains: Michael Douglas did a good deed by helping raise awareness that serious (often fatal) oral cancers can be caused by sexually-transmitted HPV which is likely contracted by oral sex.
Felonious Grammar — June 4, 2013
Penile cancer? That might be the one to lead. Convince a man that his penis could get cancer and he'd probably make an appointment right away. Men also die from breast cancer, a fact that could maybe piggyback on the HPV vaccination campaign.
Can oral sex cause throat cancer? | Pursue natural — June 4, 2013
[...] article by Adina Nack PhD on June 4, 2013 on “MICHAEL DOUGLAS’ CANCER CONFESSION: THE RISK OF HPV [...]
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A2Bookmarks Japan — August 15, 2024
Adina Nack, PhD, discusses the significant impact of Michael Douglas’ recent confession about his cancer being linked to an HPV infection transmitted through oral sex. This revelation highlights a crucial public health issue, as HPV-related oral cancers are becoming more common. Nack emphasizes the importance of understanding that HPV can be transmitted between oral and genital areas, similar to herpes. The confession brings needed attention to the reality of HPV risks, particularly the increasing incidence of oral cancers, which have been shown to be more fatal than cervical cancers in the U.S.
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