‘When Bad Selfies Happen to Good People,’ Jokes Catherine Zeta-Jones Sharing Adorable Selfies with Husband & Cancer Survivor Michael Douglas

 

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A post shared by Catherine Zeta-Jones (@catherinezetajones)

Fans were living for this playful, intimate moment.

One fan, @bublychrissy, writes, “This is beautiful! You’re an amazing couple.”

And @mrs.j.stevens assures the pair that they look great, saying, “It's humanly impossible for Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones to EVER take a bad selfie/picture. Ever.”

And @bonjourburcu says, “you guys both look beautiful.”

Douglas’ Oral Cancer Battle

Douglas was diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma in 2010 after visiting a doctor for a persistent sore throat. During the checkup, the physician found a tumor at the base of Douglas' tongue.

Related: More than 70% of Americans Don't Know that HPV Can Cause Anal, Oral, and Penile Cancers Even With Famous Advocates Such as Michael Douglas and Marcia Cross

The actor went through radiation and chemotherapy treatments that year and was later declared in remission. Douglas has become an outspoken advocate for raising awareness about oral cancers, and its link to the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Rocker Eddie Van Halen, 64, Says He Got Throat Cancer From Putting Metal Guitar Pick in His Mouth Is That Possible?

Understanding Oral Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 50,000 new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer will be diagnosed each year. Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of head and neck or throat cancer that's most commonly associated with HPV. This type of cancer is far more common in men than in women and the incidence has been increasing over time.

Related: 7 Signs of Throat Cancer That Aren't As Obvious as You'd Think; Knowing What to Look for Is Key

In addition to HPV, other risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer can include heavy smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, explains in an earlier interview that throat cancer doesn't have specific screening procedures. "Right now, there are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears. And there are no standard tests to determine if you harbor the virus," says Dr. Geiger.

Related: Majority of Throat Cancer Diagnoses Are Caused by HPV Here's What You Need to Know

Dr. Geiger said that HPV-related throat cancers are highly treatable. "There is no concern that you're going to spread this cancer to your partner or to anyone else because at this point your partner has already been exposed to the virus and likely cleared it. HPV-related throat cancer, generally, is very responsive to treatment with radiation and chemotherapy. And the cure rates for patients who have HPV-related disease are a lot higher than those who have tobacco-related throat cancer."

Busting the Myths About the HPV Vaccine

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