On April 1, Full House star Dave Coulier shared news that he was cancer-free after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2024. Now, he shares devastating news that he’s been diagnosed with tongue cancer.
Dave Coulier was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in November 2024. In April earlier this year, he gave joyous news that he was cancer-free. However, just months later, he has now been diagnosed with another type of cancer.
Appearing on Today on Tuesday, the Full House star announced that he was recently diagnosed with tongue cancer and is currently undergoing treatment.
“Totally unrelated to the previous cancer that I had,” he said. “So in October of this year, I went in for a PET scan, just a routine check-up and something flared on the PET scan. It turned out that I have P16 squamous carcinoma at the base of my tongue. So I said to the doctors, I said, ‘Well, did this happen because of the lymphoma?’ And they said, ‘Totally unrelated.’”
Dave Coulier diagnosed with tongue cancer
Coulier, who played Uncle Joey on the hit television show, said doctors had told him that he had to undergo 35 rounds of radiation.
“I’ll be done [on] Dec. 31,” he said, before continuing, “Prognosis is very good for P16 squamous carcinoma. So it has a 90+ curability rate. But the thing that has really saved my life is that early detection saved my life, not just the first time but the second time as well. So I hope you’re getting your check-ups. I hope your colonoscopies and breast exams, and prostate exams, they will save your life.”
Sadly, the beloved actor has had a family history of the disease.
“I lost my mom to breast cancer. I lost my sister Sharon to breast cancer. She was 36 years old. I lost my niece, Shannon. She was 29 years old,” he told People Magazine in 2024. Meanwhile, his older sister Karen was also going through cancer alongside him.
“I saw what those women in my family went through, and I thought to myself, ‘If I can be just 1/10th of a percent as strong as they were, then I’m going to be just fine,’ ” he added.
“There’s a lot to live for”
By being open about his cancer diagnosis, Dave Coulier hopes he can inspire others to get tested early.
“Take great care of yourself, because there’s a lot to live for,” he said last year. “And if that means talking with your doctors or getting a mammogram or a breast exam or colonoscopy, it can really make a big change in your life.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave Coulier and his family.