Marcia Cross' personal revelation was a generous act

Peggy Drexler is a research psychologist and the author of "Our Fathers, Ourselves: Daughters, Fathers, and the Changing American Family" and "Raising Boys Without Men." She is at work on a book about how women are conditioned to compete with one another and what to do about it. The opinions expressed in this commentary are hers. View more opinion on CNN.

Nearly a year after Desperate Housewives actress Marcia Cross disclosed that she'd undergone treatment for anal cancer, she has revealed that the disease was likely caused by the same strain of human papillomavirus -- or HPV -- that led to her husband's throat cancer. Peggy DrexlerIt's a deeply personal thing to share -- a medical issue, for one thing, with sexual undertones concerning a form of sex often seen as unmentionable. So was it too personal? Or bracingly forthright? The answer is clear.

Can oral sex cause throat cancer? 02:56Cross also said she hopes to raise awareness of anal cancer's potential causes. When her husband, Tom Mahoney, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2009, neither knew that the type of HPV that likely triggered his condition could also lead to anal cancer, as well as other types of cancer.

Chrissy Teigen reveals postpartum depression 00:51When Chrissy Teigen talked openly about her postpartum depression, many fans came forward to thank her for helping them realize that what they were feeling had a name -- and that they were not alone. Cross knows that her message has more power than most. As she told CBS, Bree Van de Kamp, the TV character that had made her famous,"would not have told a soul,.".

Opinion Anal cancer WTH? When I was young it only hurt when we pissed. These kids today dealing with some crazy stuff.

Opinion I’ll give a sickened opinion for free

Opinion Wow, I really had no idea how widespread the issues caused by HPV really are. I am so grateful my girls are vaccinated at school. THANK YOU ReallyMarcia for your bravery! Monsters live in the dark (thanks DrPhil) and we all need to banish the shame we have about our bodies.

Opinion Celebrity? If you insist.

Opinion CNN gives its viewers anal cancer.

Home Exercises to get rid of Belly Fat in a Month Video 1 of 3

Opinion I'd still tap that ass.

Opinion 😎😋

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Marcia Cross says her anal cancer is linked to HPV and husband's throat cancerDoctors suspect that Cross' cancer and her husband's came from the same type of human papillomavirus, known as HPV. Not the context she said it at all, shamefully put this headline together to make a joke and mock cancer victims, they both got it from HPV and she went public to encourage vaccinations. We got an ass eater👍🏼 I’m just gonna leave this one alone.
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »

Marcia Cross says HPV may have caused cancer for her and her husbandUm...never mind. Just more proof, sex and assholes don’t mix.
Source: USATODAY - 🏆 100. / 63 Read more »

Actress shines light on HPV's link to anal cancersActress Marcia Cross has been public about her anal cancer diagnosis more than a year ago, now sharing that doctors suspect her cancer came from the same type of human papillomavirus, or HPV, behind her husband's throat cancer. Oh, yes yes yes yes.. another kind of cancer... “I have left with you something, which if you strictly adhere to, you shall never go astray–The Book of Allah & my progeny.” HadithThaqlayn No shame in getting something you had no say in or fault. Rectal cancer is pretty much fatal.
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »

Marcia Cross says HPV may have caused cancer for her and her husbandUm...never mind. Just more proof, sex and assholes don’t mix.
Source: USATODAY - 🏆 100. / 63 Read more »