Michael Douglas' rep attempts to clarify claim that actor's cancer was caused by oral sex

In response, the Guardian has released the full audio recording of the interview with the actor

Published June 4, 2013 1:12PM (EDT)

Michael Douglas' P.R. team is in damage control mode after the actor's comments to the Guardian -- during which he attributed the cause of his throat cancer to oral sex -- went viral on Monday.

Douglas' rep, Allen Burry, attempted to clarify the comment, telling the AP on Monday afternoon that "In a discussion with the newspaper, they talked about the causes of oral cancer, one of which was oral sex, which is noted and has been known for a while now."

In response, however, the Guardian has released the full audio recording of the interview and the transcript of the exact quote from Douglas, writing, "The Guardian firmly denies this charge of misrepresentation. Mr Burry was not present at the Guardian's interview with Michael Douglas; the only two people present were Mr Douglas and the Guardian writer, Xan Brooks."

From the Guardian:

Xan Brooks: Do you feel, in hindsight, that you overloaded your system? Overloaded your system with drugs, smoking, drink?

Michael Douglas: No. No. Ah, without getting too specific, this particular cancer is caused by something called HPV, which actually comes about from cunnilingus.

Listen to the interview here.


By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

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Actors Cancer Celebrity Cunnilingus Hollywood Hpv Michael Douglas Oral Sex