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Michael Douglas' battle with stage IV throat cancer played out publicly at the end of 2010 and into 2011. The actor wasn't shy about discussing his diagnosis and then treatment and recovery. But in an interview with Matt Lauer on TODAY in January, Douglas said some of his story -- specifically the story painted by portraits snapped by paparazzi -- had been documented without his permission, and he resented that. New photos in Star magazine won't help.
Douglas is seen on the cover of the magazine and in photos inside smoking while traveling with his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones on a yacht to Porto Venere, Italy, on July 21.
The 66-year-old Hollywood icon was a longtime smoker before his cancer battle.
Perhaps getting caught is more troubling for Douglas than the post-cancer puff. From that January interview on TODAY: "With the amount of paparazzi that they have and these video cameras, you know, you just can't do anything ... There was sort of a macabre enjoyment out of sort of watching me go down there for a while, I felt, by the paparazzi."
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My aunt smoked herself right into the grave. She knew that she was terminal and to be miserable while she was dying didn't make sense. Which is kind of true. If you are terminal why stop smoking? It is a horrible addiction made popular in our culture and advertising. To then vilify it in the end is another hypocritical thing the media and we do.
What does our actions say about how much free will we really have? We all know what we should be doing. Our moments of inspiration and resolution are fleeting. You are your routine, only when your routine changes, do you really change.
So smoking is more important than his children, wife & life...HOW SAD!
Catherine: "Michael, I just love cigarette breath! It's such a rush, especially when we French kiss!"
maybe it was weed. cancer patients are sometimes allowed to smoke it and he may have been so that he could have an appetite. hell, just look at the way he's holding it.
There is not a legitimate physician in the country who would encourage a throat cancer patient to smoke anything, good grief, lol.
Such is the way of addiction.
Douglas is a dumbass. He deserves what he gets and more cancer is what he will get!
Smoking ORGANIC tobacco will lower your risk of 'smoking' cancers by 90 percent. Amazing what removing chemicals will do to your health. Obviously, the better option is to NOT smoke or use e-cigs. But all the 'additives' in commercial cigarettes are the real killer. The smoke isn't healthy but healthier than what's available.
What's your addiction? Beer? Food? And I bet you haven't ever done any "dumbass" things.
You people are fools. He is DYING. He will die anyway, cigarette or not. Let the man enjoy what little time he has left, with his wife, his children, and his cigarettes. It's really none of your damn business anyway. Now go drink another beer.
Also, to the uninformed moron with his Catherine Zeta-Jones like "oh come here cigarette breath" - she smokes too, dumbass.
JoMan, no addictions. Sorry about that. Anything I do is in moderation. Nothing I can't live without.
Curious though...what's up with your hostility? Trying to quit smoking?
Forget the paparazzi. They go with the territory. Smoking after treatment for Stage IV throat cancer. You must be a complete idiot. Can I date your beautiful wife after you kill yourself.
u are a fool,,,,course your wife is beautiful and will be very welthy...young enough to have a great life after your dumb ass is gone.
I quit 4 1/2 years ago:
I have lost my "edge"
All food tastes awful
I have gained weight, lost it again, gained it again.
I have become a miserable, cynical SOB
I keep of it to support my wife's efforts to stay off it.
Basically a recovering addict.
If Mr. Douglas wants to smoke and has the wherewithal to pay his recurring medical bills, then it is his prerogative, his money, his life.
The paparazzi and you perfect individuals who sprout such nonsense should mind their own damn business.
That's OK Phil, I think your a fool also.
His "beautiful wife" is a very heavy smoker so kissing her would be like kissing an ash tray.
Right on Phil.
Although when I quit way back when, my "edge" wasn't lost, and I was no more cynical than I usually am. If food tastes awful, then it's probably because it's awful food...lol.
Now, the gaining weight thing? Put on 20 lbs in 4 weeks (even with snacking on vegetables). Woohoo! Quit smoking only to run down the road to the obesity finish line.
Phil...we're screwed either way.
HowNow? *long slow exhale into face* Take a whiff of that ashtray.
Until the liberals get done with what was a great nation, you are still free (as of now) to smoke if you want to. It's his life. I bet most of you who are flaming him for smoking don't live 'cancer free' lives. Think about that the next time you are feeding your faces with McDonalds or standing in line for your 'vaccine'.
Don't throw stones unless you know what you are doing first.
Can't wait to hear him do the NBC Nightly News intro with a voice box
Sean, LOL
Admitting you're a liberal is half the battle. The other half is learning something and fixing it.
Good luck with that...
You are a stupid idiot ! Your party the republican party bankrupted the country you, idiot !!! America is in this huge mess because of you, right wingers !!!!
Now President Obama has to pay for 2 wars, that have been fought on borrowed money, for the past 10 years. Are you going to deny it ?? You know, the majority is not blind, you @!$%#ing brainwashed right winger idiot !
You, republican fascists ruined america, not President Obama and not democrats !
Too bad he's gone and done this because he had a chance after the treatment he was able to afford which cleared him. My father died the same way, even had his larynx removed and couldn't talk but he could still smoke!!! Nicotine is a very sad addiction but he can afford the various treatments to quit so if he really wanted to he could quit, sad really sad.
my husband had a liver transplant and went back to drinking and died sixteen months later. Addiction is sad! He died 6 months ago I wish i did more......
Woww a waisted vital organ. What kind of stupid people would drink or smoke,after being given a 2 nd chance at life. As a God fearing man,i can not believe the stupidity of this. All this kind of people,are self destructive and want to die,like suicide. Fact is,it is suicide. Their home life must be a horrible one,& going out the way they want is stronger then anything else in their life. No good loveing family person would do that to their family.How selfish & irresponsible.I feel sorry for the family members who had loved these kind of people,they are the ones who suffer.
LIVING IS HARD , DYING IS EASY .
Oh Bob: It's funny that you use the word "stupid" and "stupidity" and then admit to being a "god fearing man" which is the definition of stupidity. The fact is it's not suicide it's an addiction. One of the most addictive substances we know and it's perfectly legal in every state to every person over the age of 18. It's pushed on us as kids via candy cigarettes. Can you imagine the uproar in christians such as yourself if we had "candy" bottles of Jack Daniels? Or perhaps "candy" heroin? I stopped smoking 4 years ago and haven't had a cigarette since. I did so using Alan Karr's "The Easy Way To Stop Smoking". It's a paperback book anyone can purchase on Amazon for about $10. So rather than spewing your insults and your obvious lack basic grammar and start helping. No one wants or needs your pity but everybody could use a little compassion and grace. "I like your Christ but, I don't like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."-Mahatma Gandhi
That was more concisely said than anything I think I've read in response to this horrible addiction. Thank you, JoMan. I'm sorry for the loss of your aunt.
The media these days can be unusually cruel, but maybe it's just a mirror of the attitudes of a lot of the people I see on these blogs. Amy Winehouse is a good example, the girl was only 27 years old, and we still don't know the cause of death in her case, but every other post about her death was derogatory, some were just outrageous. Celebrities are also people, they have lives to lead just like we do, they have parents, siblings, children, etc. How would some of these people like reading the vitriolic comments that are being made if it was one of their own family members? If Michael Douglas wants to continue smoking I think it is his business. If he wants to quit, he'll have to do it, so I wish everybody would just stay out of his life and let the man have some peace. Stage 4 cancer is no picnic, it is a terrible ordeal to go through, and the pressure and anxiety doesn't go away, because one is always aware of the potential for a recurrence of the disease.
I do agree with the basic premise of your post, but would add this; if you're a celebrity you understand what that brings to you as far as curiosity and a lack of privacy. Doing things you don't want others to expound on shouldn't be done in public. I agree if he wants to smoke, he will. But if he doesn't want photos taken and talked about then he should do it inside.
Yes, Cindy, you're right in the general sense. What I'm saying is that in the instances of great human suffering, deaths and cancer, etc., it should be off limits and it always was when I was growing up. People had a lot more respect for others feelings than they do now. It's the same mindset that makes it ok to have pop-up ads on the obituary page I guess. You will know what I'm talking about if you ever hear the word cancer used in the same sentence along with the word "your". I hope you don't have to ever hear that, but it is a life-changing event, and if someone wants to continue smoking I think everyone else should just shut the hell up about it.
Stage 4 anything is genrally not curable but for Hodgkins Disease. his addiction is terminal and it is his choice. Though he may have disease beyond the area of his local tyreatment (radiation). His tumor was so hidden that it was not seen right away.
Stopping is easy if you want to; and impossible if you don't. There is a 2 layer system of withdrawl: the first is physiological where the body actually needs the substance but is gone in 3-4 days with the initial withdrawl. The second layer is a lifetime path since it is the habit that has to be resisted. The body no longer requires the substance but now the environment and stresses, and all the other factors which started thje addiction in the firsty place still are present. Sio there he is, smoking because he doesn't want to quit. He had been off the cigarettes lonmg enough to not withdraw anymore, but he returned to his old self. So with stage 4 head and neck cancer his initial chance for cure (and that is not a 5 year survival but really be free of disease for a much longer time) is very small to begin with. But somweone makes up that small group who succeeds. I don't thin k it will be him.
It's sad that one of the few nicotine-replacement therapies that works effectively, Swedish snus, is also one that the passage of the PACT Act placed out of the hands of so many Americans, due to the price hikes and restrictive delivery requirements. Snus is a no-spit tobacco pouch, but nothing like chewing tobacco, and while it may lead to gum recession and other problems over time, it is something that WORKS in getting people to quit smoking, and in eliminating the problems of lung cancer, emphysema and so many other problems associated specifically with smoking. If you are a smoker currently, I urge you to try some of the Swedish brands of snus as a reduced-risk replacement for your nicotine cravings. It works.
Yeah, because Lord knows mouth and esophageal cancer is way better than lung cancer? At least you can't see your lungs. Nothing prettier than someone who has lost a jaw or upper palate to cancer from spit (or no spit) tobacco. No thanks. Not a viable alternative. I'd try electronic cigarettes or nicotine lozenges first.
You all forget, celebrities get paid to entertain us. When they are off the clock they don't have to please us. They are people making a living. Yes they let us know more about themselves than anyone else. But they don't have to answer to us, we don't own them.
Um, dysphoria? There are few cases of oral cancer from Snus and Snuff. Dig for it on Google. I'm sure you've seen the hyped-up videos & news stories of "OH NOES!!! IT KILLZ YOU". So did I. Out of the 2, Snus has very little history of oral cancer. Plus, Snus is nothing more than tobacco, salt, flavor. Pasteurized. Not fermented. Not as strong as American Snuff. Its not the Nicotine that kills you, its the additives.
If you really want to get into it, look up the death rates for Nasal Snuff users. I cant find any.
It's his personal preference if he wants to smoke himself to death, and if he is smoking in public, he's bound to be seen by someone, especially being famous. Don't like the negative publicity? Stop smoking in public, or better yet, stop smoking, or you can do whatever the heck you want with your life and just ignore what people have to say about you.
When you are diagnosed with Stage IV cancer it is a death sentence, you are terminal. This is what my brother's colon cancer Dr. told all of us right after he was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer at 50 years of age. Maybe Michael Douglas and his wife have been told the same thing and that is why he smokes occasionally. There is no hope with Statge IV cancer. You are a goner.
Stage 4 Throat cancer is not the same, and does not have the same prognosis, as Stage 4 colon cancer.
But I thought he had announced he was in remission.
He appears to be a cancer survivor who is smoking unless he has been diagnosed with cancer again and has not told the public.
Okay, so you have cancer and you still smoke. Cool and fine if you want to kill yourself or if you think it doesn't matter, but how selfish is that. (Not saying you personally, but in general)
He is still exposing his family to smoke..on his clothes, if the kids see him they get a model for it and the smoke to affect their health. His wife gets it the same way...so he gets to choose to kill himself or not, but if he doesn't want his kids (who share his genetics I presume) to end up sick he could stop. Guess that doesn't matter either it seems. I don't care if he smokes...I saw many people do that to themselves...but there are other people to consider. Geez.
My cusin was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer five years ago and is doing great. Some people can live for decades with stage IV, it is not an immediate death sentence.
Death Wish
I guess that cancer scare wasn't quite scary enough to make him quit smoking. Why do people do this to themselves? I quit smoking after 20 years. It was hard, but I'm in much better health and hope to stay that way.
Good for you!!!
You gotta dance with the girl that you came with.
If he has stage IV cancer, he probably figures he might as well smoke because it is too late to change anything anyway. He may not be treatable anymore.
Stage 4 is NOT a death sentence. I had stage 4 tongue cancer and with 35 radiation treatments and 7 chemo, I am beating the Beast.
A once long time smoker, I will never smoke cigarettes again. Shame on Michael Douglas for picking them up. I am sure his family and medical family are very disappointed in him....
Nancy,
Better not smoke pot either because it has many more carcinogens in it than tobacco. I know several people that smoked pot and they are all coming down with some form of cancer now. Sad.
it may have been weed to help with building an appetite for after one of those radiation treatments.
Your story touched me because I lost a friend some time ago to tongue/throat cancer. I'm so glad that you are doing well. In Margaret's memory I'll keep you in my thoughts and wish for you continued good health and a lovely life. I am so anti-smoking that it's not funny!!
as it is with any terminal disease/cancer, you are going to die - there is nothing anyone can say or do to make it any different - why go on with the rest of your life being miserable? take life by the horns and do one of three things - do what the doctors say (testing/chemo/radiation/etc) spend no time with friends and family because you are sick all the time and flat broke and die anyway or, skip what the doctors tell you and do what you want and enjoy what life you do have left with your friends and family and die anyway - or, die on you own terms
Smoke if 'em if you got em'. We are going to die anyway. Could be tonight, tomorrow, or next week.
Daniel,
What a stupid thing to say.
It's not a stupid thing to say. Everyone is going to die, whether it is today, tomorrow or next week, next year or 50 years from now. You could walk out your door and be hit by a bus, or a bullet, slip in the tub and crack your head, fall down the stairs, the elevator cable in your building could snap and then splat!! Not every one wants to be smoke-free, drink non-alcoholic beverages or be a vegetarian or live a green life. Most people don't want to or just don't care. Live your own life and mind your own business. This country is free and there is plenty of wide open space in the west for all of you that want cleaner air. See ya!
Are you really suggesting that not taking care of oneself makes sense because all of us will die one day, anyway? People can do what they want, of course, but one's eventual death could be an excuse for ignorant folks to not wear a seat belt, to eat all the wrong things, to never exercise, to smoke, to drink heavily, and to play the occasional round of Russian roulette.
Do you not want to be around to watch your three children live their lives? In a sense, don't you owe it to them?
what an idiot
Sorry, Michael when your throat cancer returns. Didn`t realize just how STUPID you really are. RIP.
Michael Douglas is a nice guy and a wonderful actor, but a stupid, stupid man for smoking, and its even more stupid that he continues to smoke after the cancer scare. He is giving it a great chance that it will come back and kill him.
Smoking = Stupidity, and people who take up smoking are doing the most stupid thing of their lives. Sorry folks, that is just a fact.
Alan, this is a free country and he is an adult. If he wants to have an occasional cigarette then that is his business. Why do you even care so much??
I agree....I also wish that he could over-come his addiction (I know it is very hard) so that his young children will have their father for a long time to come. It's not easy to give a bad habit up, but in his case he has so much positive in his life, and so many that depend on him, that I would truly hope that all will be well.
He must enjoy smoking more than his life or his time with his family. What a choice!
His business. We as the public feed on crap like this when the nation is circling the drain!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Idiots look at the dang name of the rag mag. It tells it all. If you believe every photo and everything that printed. Then you are A idiot yourself. Remember just a few weeks Miss Cox said on MSNBC she enough of Betty White. What does this tell you about miss Cox? She is No better then the rag mags is out there.
Does Zeta-Jones smoke also? I hope not. I also hope she doesn't inhale her stupid husband's second hand smoke.
Yes-she does.
Yes, Ms. Zeta Jones also smokes. Sorry to hear Michael Douglas is smoking again but it's his life. Statistics indicate the kids are probably already puffing away too.
Let him enjoy smoking until he is surprised again to develop another another cancer. He's making a conscious choice each day to die a long slow painful death. He's got money and therefore can buy good medical care. He'll probably stretch out another tens years or so of life, albeit on a vent, trach, bipap and carry oxygen. He'll probably end up fairly bedridden and still smoke. With his money he could hire a 24 hour coach to help him quit smoking if he really wants to. Smoking took 30 years to catch him with cancer, and it will take another 10 years or so to finally kill him.
Smoking is the worst addiction of all, IMO. While my mother was in the hospital ICU recovering from a heart attack, I was in the waiting room when I heard my father scream "You're going to blow up the hospital." I ran to my mother's room to find her puffing away on cigarettes that her employees snuck in to her. She would move her oxygen mask to the side, take a puff then put the oxygen mask back on. It was the most bizarre scene. And she died less than 6 years later from an orange-size cancerous tumor in her lung. To her dying day, she did not believe that smoking cigarettes caused ANY health problems. I truly understand Michael Douglas' predicament.