Support Through Cancer
- "Top Gun" star and throat cancer survivor Val Kilmer had some off-screen tension with Tom Cruise, 61. The actors played rivals in the 1986 American action drama film.
- Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015; he had a tracheotomy and also underwent chemotherapy to treat his disease.
- The actor lost his voice to the disease, turned to artwork as a way to express himself, and has received ongoing support from fans, loved ones, and even costars like Tom Cruise.
- Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells begin in the throat, voice box or tonsils.
- Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin previously wrote for SurvivorNet, that it's "important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment," which she said can be an "arduous chapter."
Throat cancer survivor Kilmer, who reprised his role as Lieutenant Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky for the 2022 “Top Gun: Maverick” film, alongside the movie's titular character, Lieutenant Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, played by Cruise, previously admitted to the reality of their off-screen feud.
Expert Throat Cancer Resources
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“And what ended up happening is the actors, in true Method fashion, split into two distinct camps.You'd have Maverick and Goose on one side, and Slider, Hollywood, Wolfman, and me, Iceman, on the other.
“It was fun to play up the conflict between our characters, but in reality, I've always thought of Tom as a friend, and we've always supported each other.”
“Top Gun: Maverick,” which has undeniably been a hit since its release, entails Kilmer reprising his role as Iceman, a pilot who was initially an antagonist to Tom Cruise's titular Maverick in the original.
Despite any onscreen tension, the two stars appear to be getting along famously over the years.
According to Kilmer's autobiography, “I'm Your Huckleberry,” he was initially reluctant to take part in another Top Gun movie after producers didn't contact him. But once he expressed interest, he was brought back onboard.
“Forget the fact that thirty years had passed since I'd seen the ghost of Iceman's dad. I remembered it like it was yesterday,” Kilmer wrote.
“The producers went for it. Cruise went for it. Cruise couldn't have been cooler. And the next thing I knew I was back, as the Beatles said, where I ‘once belonged.’ Tom and I took up where we left off. The reunion felt great.”
Kilmer also commented on their “Top Gun: Maverick” reunion, previously telling USA TODAY, “I was very moved the first time I saw it. Almost 40 years is a long time for a reunion. We laughed all day. Tom is great and surprisingly funny!!”
Additionally, the films’ director Joseph Kosinski admitted there were some “real emotions” when the two actors reunited on camera.
“It’s a long friendship. They were both there at their career beginnings with the original ‘Top Gun.’ I’m sure there was a little bit of a rivalry back then, just like the characters,” Kosinski said, according to USA Today.
“But for both to be back in this movie, it was a really special moment. There was so much joy.”
Speaking on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Cruise praised Kilmer’s ability to jump back into character “Top Gun: Maverick,” saying, “I've known Val for decades. He's such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.”
"You're just looking at Iceman," Cruise added.
Val Kilmer's Battle With Throat Cancer
Val Kilmer discovered he had throat cancer in 2015 but chose not to speak publicly about his diagnosis until 2017.
He wasn't considering conventional treatment at first, thinking his Christian Science faith would heal the tumors. But he ultimately agreed to undergo chemotherapy for the sake of his children Mercedes, 31, and Jack, 28, whom he had with his ex-wife, English actress Joanne Whalley, 61.
Kilmer also underwent a tracheotomy a surgical procedure that connects the windpipe to a hole in the front of the neck which greatly impacted his speaking voice.
Thankfully, Kilmer continued acting as “Top Gun: Maverick” filmmakers were able to help give Iceman a voice again thanks to artificial intelligence technology that used samples of him speaking to recreate his signature speech patterns.
And though he originally kept his cancer battle out of the public eye, Kilmer eventually shared more about his journey through interviews, his autobiography “I'm Your Huckleberry,” and his documentary, “Val.”
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"I have been healed of cancer for over four years now, and there has never been any recurrence," he wrote. "I am so grateful.”
Finding Support During a Cancer Journey
Feeling supported during a cancer battle, like Kilmer, is hugely beneficial. According to New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik, receiving the diagnosis "can be a very overwhelming experience" that requires finding support outside of your usual circles.
Seeking Support: The First 3 Things to Do After a Cancer Diagnosis
"Some people don't need to go outside of their family and friends circle. They feel like they have enough support there," Plutchik previously told SurvivorNet.
"But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional."
Dr. Plutchik recommends the following three steps for anyone who just found out they had cancer.
- Seek additional support if you need it. This might mean speaking to a mental health professional or finding a support group to join.
- If needed, find a mental health professional who has experience helping people dealing with things like cancer.
- Make sure your care team stays connected. Your care team may include your friends, loved ones, therapist and doctors.
Overall, know you're not alone and there are many people out there for you to be vulnerable with should you choose to open up about your cancer diagnosis.
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Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin previously wrote for SurvivorNet, that it's "important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment," which she said can be an "arduous chapter."
That being said, it's very important to know your limits on what you can handle during treatment.
"Going through treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience," she wrote. "Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much… [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment."
Understanding Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells begin in the throat, voice box or tonsils. Some of the main risk factors for this disease include smoking, drinking alcohol, a diet lacking in fruits or vegetables, acid reflux disease and the human papillomavirus (HPV).
So, one way to decrease the chances of developing the disease is to get the HPV vaccine.
The American Cancer Society recommends that boys and girls get the HPV vaccine between ages 9 and 12. The organization also stresses that teens and young adults through age 26 who are not already vaccinated should get the HPV vaccine as soon as possible.
Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, explains the link between throat cancer and HPV in a previous interview with SurvivorNet.
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“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 (HPV) virus,” Dr. Geiger said.
"However, 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."
There's no yearly screening for throat cancer, so doctors often discover the disease when a patient sees them with symptoms that may point to it. Some symptoms include:
- A cough
- Changes in your voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Ear pain
- A lump or sore that doesn't heal
- A sore throat
- Weight loss
It's important to note, however, that these symptoms are not exclusive to throat cancer. Still, you should always see a doctor if you have any changes to your health.
HPV and Cancer Risk The Basics
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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