With all the hoopla surrounding Michael Douglas's hinting that a whole lot of oral sex might be to blame for his throat cancer, some may wonder if it really is better to receive than to give. Douglas went on record after his cancer went into remission, saying, "Without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV [human papillomavirus], which actually comes about from cunnilingus." In other words, going down on lots of ladies may have contributed to his throat cancer. Then again, Douglas was also a heavy smoker and drinker in his life – also risk factors for throat cancer. Obviously, Douglas is not a doctor, but what he said struck fear in the hearts of many who perhaps thought oral sex was safer sex. In actuality, it is indeed possible to contract the human papillomavirus from giving oral sex.