ah , without getting too specific , this particular cancer is caused by something called hpv , which actually comes about from cunnilingus . on monday 3 june , the guardian published an interview with the actor michael douglas in which he said that his cancer was " caused by hpv ( human papillomavirus ) , which actually comes from cunnilingus " . 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 . douglas attends the one centennial sensation , the 100th birthday celebration of the american cancer society , at the hudson theatre monday evening . and when pressed whether douglas tested positive for one of the human papilloma virus strains linked to oral cancer from sex . “ this particular cancer from oral sex , he said . a gaunt - looking michael douglas , says the expert . ” douglas was honored by the american cancer society monday at the hudson theater .