Michael Douglas spoke openly about the root cause of his life-threatening diagnosis of stage-4 throat cancer in 2010 in an interview with U.K.’s The Guardian. Unlike many had suspected, he didn't get throat cancer from smoking or drinking, but from the human papillomavirus (HPV) transmitted to him through oral sex.

"Without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV, which actually comes about from cunnilingus," Douglas, who is married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, explained.

"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," Douglas added. His son, Cameron Douglas, has been arrested on multiple drug related offenses and is currently serving a 10-year-sentence behind bars.

Douglas battled cancel for six months – undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Although he’s been cleared for nearly two years, he continues to get check ups every six months. Fortunately for Douglas, the kind of cancer he had doesn't return 95% of the time.

Douglas’ spokesman Allen Burry appeared to walk back the Behind the Candelabra actor’s statements to the U.K. publication later in the day on Monday. "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," Burry said in a statement.

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