A Token of Appreciation to One of Kilmer's Biggest Supporters
Actor Val Kilmer, 64, shared a heartfelt tribute to his mom for Mother’s Day, expressing his love for her and that he misses her. The “Top Gun” actor regularly dedicates social media posts to his mom this time of year.
Kilmer battled throat cancer in 2014, and his tough recovery impacted his speaking voice, which also affected his ability to perform as an actor. He turned to creating abstract art pieces to help him communicate and cope during his cancer journey. His treatment included chemotherapy and a tracheotomy procedure.
Signs of throat cancer may include a sore throat, pain with swallowing, difficulty swallowing, and the sensation of a lump or mass in the throat.
Head and neck cancer major risk factors include alcohol and tobacco use. The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is another significant risk factor.
HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, according to the National Cancer Institute. It can cause a handful of cancers, including cervical and throat cancers.
HPV-related throat cancers are generally very responsive to a combination of radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
The HPV vaccine, like Gardasil 9, offers protection against “nine HPV types” and creates an immune response to HPV 16, the primary cause of 92% of head and neck cancers.
Hollywood legend Val Kilmer, 64, showcases his tender side in a heartfelt Mother’s Day tribute on social media. The “Top Gun” actor and accomplished painter dedicated a unique piece of artwork to honoring his mom.
“It’s that time of year when my thoughts naturally gravitate towards the incredible woman who has shaped my life,” Kilmer wrote in a social media post.
In 2016, Kilmer shared a photo of his mom where he said she looked like she was the Ambassador to France.
A few years later, in 2020, the “Top Gun” actor shared a throwback photo of his mom.
“My mama and me. She’s the portrait of a strong-willed, wanderlust soul with sunshine in her eyes. I love you, mama, and I wish the very best to all the mamas on Mother’s Day,” Kilmer wrote in a Facebook post.
Last year, he kept his social media tradition going, saying, “For all the beautiful souls who have embraced the role of motherhood, your love and sacrifice are immeasurable. You have given us life, nurtured us, and shaped us into who we are today. My heart reaches out to each and every one of you. LOVE is what it’s all about,” Kilmer said.
Val Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. In an interview with The New York Times, Kilmer did not immediately see his doctor for symptoms associated with his throat cancer.
He told the outlet he felt a “big lump in his throat” in 2014. After waking up in a “pool of his own blood,” he was convinced to see his doctor, who confirmed his cancer diagnosis.
Throat cancer is cancer that develops in your throat or voice box.
American actor Val Kilmer on the set of Batman Forever, directed by Joel Schumacher. (Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
“[Throat] cancer can cause symptoms in the throat including sore throat, pain with swallowing, difficulty swallowing, the sensation of a lump or mass in the throat, ear pain, and less commonly voice changes, hoarseness or difficulty opening the jaw,” Dr. Ryan Hughes, a radiation oncologist at Wake Forest School of Medicine, previously told SurvivorNet.
“In the majority of patients, [throat cancer] does not cause symptoms in the throat but instead first presents with an otherwise asymptomatic mass in the neck,” Dr. Hughes added.
According to the National Cancer Institute, head and neck cancers make up nearly “4 percent” of all cancers in the U.S. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor for head and neck cancers as well as alcohol consumption. Common symptoms of throat cancer include experiencing pain while swallowing and ringing in the ears.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is “a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex,” the National Cancer Institute says.
HPV infection is linked to multiple cancers, and the majority of sexually active people will get the disease at some point in their lives.
WATCH: Understanding HPV.
“Because of the radiation and chemotherapy interventions, my voice and throat were severely damaged. It isn’t easy to talk and be understood,” Kilmer said.
The famous actor underwent chemotherapy to help treat the cancer. He also underwent a tracheotomy procedure, which had an impact on his ability to speak. This procedure connects the windpipe to a hole in the front of your neck.
Interestingly, the actor continued working on production projects using artificial intelligence technology despite the tracheotomy’s impact on his voice. Sonantic created the technology, which used samples of Kilmer speaking to recreate his speech patterns.
Since undergoing treatment for throat cancer, Kilmer has said he’s “healed of cancer” in his memoir, “I’m Your Huckleberry.”
He also added that since battling cancer, he had “Been so grateful.”
Val added that he has been “healed of cancer” in his autobiography.
Understanding Throat Cancer
The National Cancer Institute attributes alcohol and tobacco use and the human papillomavirus (HPV) as risk factors for head and neck cancers. Symptoms of these types of cancers may include discoloring of the gums (a white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth).
Other notable symptoms include pain when swallowing and swelling around the jawbone.
Treatment for head and neck cancers varies depending on the nature of the cancer and the overall health of the patient. However, treatment methods, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and a combination of these are all possible treatments.
More on HPV and the Vaccine Offering Protection
Nearly 80 million Americans have HPV today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It impacts men and women and won’t cause problems for most people.
However, it can lead to cancer in a small percentage of cases.
The HPV vaccine is recommended to protect against HPV and HPV-related cancers.
Gardasil 9 is an HPV vaccine that offers protection against “nine HPV types: the two low-risk HPV types that cause most genital warts, plus seven high-risk HPV types that cause most HPV-related cancer,” according to the National Cancer Institute.
The vaccine creates an immune response to HPV 16, the primary cause of 92% of head and neck cancers. Once children are vaccinated, they cannot be infected with that strain. For parents, the HPV vaccine enables them to protect their children from developing cancer in the future.
“The key with the vaccine is that you receive it before you have sexual encounters,” says Dr. Geiger. “So that’s why these vaccines are approved for young children ages 9, 10, 11 years old, up to age 26.”
According to the CDC, the HPV vaccine is recommended for all male and female preteens 11 to 12 years old, and it is given in two doses between six and 12 months.
The series of shots can also start as young as 9.
The CDC also notes that teens and young adults through age 26 who didn’t start or finish the HPV vaccine series also need the vaccine.
Additionally, people with weakened immune systems or teens and young adults who started the series between 15 and 26 should get three doses instead of two.
Although adults up to age 45 can still receive the vaccine, it’s not recommended for everyone older than 26. Still, a person older than 26 could choose to get vaccinated after talking to their doctor about possible benefits, despite it being less effective in this age range, as more people have already been exposed to HPV by this point.
WATCH: Should children get the HPV Vaccine?
Vaccine hesitancy can impede people from getting the vaccine. The concern may come from parents who feel the vaccine paves the way for early sexual activity. For this reason, some health practitioners educate the public differently about the vaccine.
“I think rebranding the vaccine as a cancer vaccine, rather than an STD vaccine, is critically important,” saysDr. Ted Teknos, a head and neck cancer surgeon and scientific director of University Hospital’s Seidman Cancer Center.
Dr. Teknos believes concerted efforts to “change the mindset around the vaccine” can make a difference.
Questions for Your Doctor
Suppose you are concerned about your cancer risk related to the human papillomavirus or whether HPV caused the cancer you have. In that case, you can use one of the conversation starters below when talking with your doctor:
I am unsure if I received the HPV vaccine when I was younger. What can I do to know for sure?
If I experience symptoms that could be because of HPV, what tests can I undergo to know?
