Quote Of The Day - Michael Douglas

"Without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV [human papillomavirus], which actually comes about from cunnilingus. 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. And if you have it, cunnilingus is also the best cure for it." - Michael Douglas, speaking to the Guardian about his recent bout with oral cancer.

The Guardian then spoke with an expert.

HPV, the sexually transmitted virus best known as a cause of cervical and anal cancer and genital warts, is thought to be responsible for an increasing proportion of oral cancers. Some propose that changes in sexual behaviour – a rise in oral sex in particular – are responsible. Such changes might be cultural, but could also be linked to fears about the safety of penetrative sex in the wake of the discovery of AIDS. Mahesh Kumar, a consultant head and neck surgeon in London, confirms that the last decade has seen a dramatic rise in this form of cancer, particularly among younger sufferers. Recent studies of 1,316 patients with oral cancer found that 57% of them were HPV-16 positive.

Kumar went on to dismiss Douglas' claim about the "best cure" for his cancer, although it seems to me that Douglas was likely joking. Douglas has been cancer-free for two years after rounds of radiation and chemotherapy.

RELATED:  Earlier this year National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association president Michael Triplett died of HPV-related oral cancer.