Oral Sex Gave Me Cancer, But I Wouldn’t Change a Thing” – Journalist Shares His Story
Journalist Max Channon has courageously shared that he developed cancer from oral sex but says he wouldn’t alter his past experiences.
In a personal reflection on his battle with the disease, Channon revealed he was diagnosed with HPV16-positive oral squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of viruses that usually cause no issues, but in some cases, such as Channon’s and actor Michael Douglas’s, it can lead to cancer due to its strain being transmitted through oral sex.
Channon noted that after Douglas’s public disclosure about his cancer’s origin, there has been a significant rise in throat and mouth cancers. He emphasized that HPV contracted through oral sex is now recognized as a major risk factor, also contributing to cancers of the vagina and anus. Despite HPV being a well-known cause of cervical cancer, its link to throat and mouth cancers remains less discussed.
Annually, around 8,600 new cases are reported in men, and 3,900 in women. Channon explained that while HPV infection rates are high among sexually active individuals, the majority will clear the infection naturally within a few years. In his case, the virus settled in his left tonsil, with long-term smoking and alcohol consumption possibly exacerbating the issue. Despite this, Channon reflects positively on his past, saying, “I’ve had too much fun to have too many regrets.”
Channon hopes to raise awareness about the connection between oral sex and cancer and to reduce the stigma associated with it. He encourages men to seek medical advice if they experience symptoms. Early intervention is crucial for effective treatment of HPV-related cancers, which respond well to therapy.
Now, less than a year after his diagnosis and shortly before his 50th birthday, Channon reports being cancer-free. He expressed gratitude for the care he received from the NHS, despite the challenges faced in radiotherapy services due to underfunding. “Chronic fatigue aside, I’m recovering well from radiochemotherapy. Although the brutal treatment nearly broke me, I feel incredibly fortunate.”