Cancer battle acts as warning over HPV risks

FORMER HERALD JOURNALIST OPENS UP AFTER TREATMENT

- NEIL SHAW

A FORMER Herald journalist who contracted cancer thanks to an intimate sex act has opened up about his diagnosis and his health battle in a bid to break down barriers and hopefully help save lives. Max Channon was diagnosed with throat cancer caused by the HPV bug, commonly known to be responsible for cervical cancer.

But Max told The Express he contracted the virus through oral sex, and says it is important more people know that can happen.

Max, who is from Cornwall and lives in Plymouth, said: “Hollywood legend Michael Douglas is one of the very few who’s been willing to discuss his own experience of this delicate matter – and he was greeted with widespread disbelief and ridicule.

“The silver-screen scion spoke up back in 2013, three years after his diagnosis and while he was still working towards a full recovery.”