Actor Michael Douglas Faces Health Battle with Tongue Cancer: Could Lose Part of Tongue and Jaw

Renowned actor Michael Douglas, known for his award-winning performances and high-profile marriage to actress Catherine Zeta Jones, recently revealed his battle with tongue cancer.

Despite his successful career and glamorous lifestyle, Douglas faced a difficult journey with this severe condition that initially presented as throat cancer.

In a candid interview with People, the star shared that he never thought he was going to die throughout the chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Reflecting on his family's longevity, with his mother living to 92 and his father recently celebrating his 102nd birthday, Douglas admitted that death and aging had never been at the forefront of his mind.

During Male Cancer Awareness Week, Douglas shocked the public by disclosing that his initial diagnosis of throat cancer was actually tongue cancer.

In conversation with fellow actor Samuel L Jackson, Douglas explained that his surgeon advised him to announce throat cancer to the public, but the reality was that surgery could have potentially ended his acting career.

Recalling his surgeon's warning, Douglas shared, “It's not going to be pretty.

You could lose part of your tongue and jaw.”

In a revealing interview with the Guardian in 2013, two years after his recovery, Douglas shed light on the cause of his tongue cancer.

He attributed it to oral s** and the s**ually transmitted disease HPV (human papillomavirus), which is known to cause cancer.

However, Douglas faced backlash from the public for his comments, prompting his publicist to clarify his statements.

The publicist emphasized that Douglas did not solely blame HPV for his cancer, as he was also a smoker and a drinker.

The statement emphasized that while oral s** is considered a possible cause of certain oral cancers, Douglas did not claim it as the specific cause of his personal cancer.

After doctors discovered a “walnut-sized tumor” at the base of his tongue, Douglas received a stage four cancer diagnosis and underwent an intensive eight-week course of chemotherapy and radiation.

The grueling treatment took a toll on his well-being, leaving him physically weak due to the harsh side effects of the medication.

Oral cancers, including tongue cancer, are particularly serious, with only half of those diagnosed surviving beyond five years, often due to late detection.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of tongue cancer is crucial, as it can occur on either the oral tongue or the base of the tongue, according to Cancer Research UK.

Despite his health battle, Michael Douglas remains an influential figure in the entertainment industry, using his platform to raise awareness about male cancer and encouraging others to prioritize their well-being.