Coping With Art After Throat Cancer
- Actor Val Kilmer is continuing to create impressive abstract prints after battling throat cancer, and recently shared a recent piece of his filled with bright hues of orange, green, and yellow. In doing so, he has also urged his fans to cherish memories as time may pass quickly.
- Kilmer, known for his memorable role in the film “Top Gun,” was diagnosed with throat cancer back in 2014. He had a tracheotomy and also underwent chemotherapy to treat his disease.
- Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells begin in the throat, voice box, or tonsils.
- The actor ultimately lost his voice to the disease and has since turned to artwork, like the print he recently shared, as a way to express himself.
- Additionally, looking back on happy memories, like the ones made in the summertime, spent with loved ones, and maintaining support after battling cancer can help in making life somewhat easier.
Kilmer took to social media this week to share an abstract print he created, filled with vibrant hues of orange, yellow, and green.
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He continued, “Those endless, sun-drenched days that seemed to stretch on forever, only to slip away when we least expected it thankfully, the memory lingers just enough to bring a smile.
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“This is available now but limited to just 10 signed prints that you can find on my website. I hope it resonates with you, as it does with me.”
One of his fans commented, “Wow….beyond the imagination. I love the colors and the sparkles,” while another wrote, “The colors remind me of nice, ripe peaches. It’s just that time of year I guess!”
“Love this piece! The orange and red is summer personified,” commented a third.
On Kilmer’s website, his deep-colored work of art is titled, “Abstract Print #1 [Series 9]” and selling for $500.00.
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The abstract print, which features Kilmer’s autograph on the front, is “glazed with plexiglass” and 12 inches by 20 inches.
“This is the first of this new series [Series 9] of limited edition abstract prints,” his website explains. “These prints glazed with plexiglass, signed on the surface of the plexiglass.”
It adds, “There will be four images in this series. Rear mounted cleat for hanging included. Signature will vary from representative image.”
Additionally, anyone who purchases this piece of art should expect the delivery time to take between one and two weeks.
“**Due to the nature of the materials, some paintings will exhibit scratches, rust, oxidations, and/or uneven surfaces,” the website notes.
“These irregularities are all considered part of the artistic design by the artist and included in the unique wholeness of the art piece. Certificate of Authenticity included.”
Expert Throat Cancer Resources
- 7 Signs of Throat Cancer That Aren’t As Obvious as You’d Think; Knowing What to Look for Is Key
- Having Oral Sex With Multiple Partners Can Increase Risk for Throat Cancer, Says New Study
- Majority of Throat Cancer Diagnoses Are Caused by HPV – Here’s What You Need to Know
- Get the Facts: What Do We Know About HPV-Linked Throat Cancer?
- Throat Cancer Is Increasing in the United States, New Research Suggests; Did You Know A Virus That Causes It Can Be Prevented With a Vaccine?
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.
The actor 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 adult children, Mercedes and Jack, whom he had with his ex-wife, English actress Joanne Whalley.
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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.
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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.”
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.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, “About 85% of people will get an HPV infection in their lifetime. Vaccinating all 11–12-year-olds can protect them long before they are ever exposed. CDC recommends two doses of HPV vaccine for all adolescents at age 11 or 12 years.”
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.
“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
WATCH: HPV’s link to cancer.
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.
Enjoying Life After Cancer
It’s certainly inspirational to us that Kilmer never allowed his cancer diagnosis to prevent him from doing what he loves, including creating art.
Sometimes it can be hard for cancer patients to see the light at the end of the tunnel especially after being hit with a diagnosis. However, SurvivorNet has shared thousands of stories from cancer warriors that prove everyday challenges tend to improve over time. With the support of loved ones that make up your support group, you too can find a way to navigate your emotions.
Your support group also helps motivate you while undergoing the rigors of cancer treatment. While every cancer warrior’s journey is unique, one thing is certain, you are more than your diagnosis.
Kilmer and many other cancer survivors continue to demonstrate there’s life after cancer every day by focusing on what brings them joy, happiness, and gratitude.
WATCH: Living In Gratitude
Gratitude means being thankful for what you have and showing appreciation for it. It’s a mindset that helps people going through tough times, and the experts SurvivorNet spoke with encourage cancer warriors and their loved ones to practice gratitude.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet that his patients who live with gratitude tend to handle treatment better because this attitude is one way to stay mentally healthy.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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