Dave Coulier first went public with his non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in November 2024, when he revealed the health struggle during an episode of the “Full House Rewind” podcast.
At the time, the actor explained he had been told the lymphoma was aggressive and required immediate treatment. Now, the former “Full House” star has gone public that he was diagnosed with another, unrelated, form of cancer.
Dave Coulier Reveals New Cancer Diagnosis
A little over a year after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Dave Coulier is facing a new health battle. The “Full House” star revealed on TODAY that he is undergoing treatment for a second, unrelated diagnosis: HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer.
Coulier, 66, first shared the news during his Dec. 2 appearance on TODAY, where he gave an update on his health and discussed the launch of his new wellness project. He later confirmed the diagnosis to TODAY.com in a phone interview, explaining that doctors discovered the cancer in October.
The announcement comes just seven months after Coulier shared that he was cancer-free following chemotherapy for his Stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He first revealed that diagnosis in November 2024.
“To go through chemotherapy and feel that relief of, whoa, it’s gone, and then to get a test that says, well now you’ve got another kind of cancer … it is a shock to the system,” Coulier says.
His first cancer was discovered after he noticed a golf-ball-sized lymph node in his groin, which a biopsy confirmed as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This time was different. Coulier says he didn’t have any symptoms before the second cancer was found. The tumor only appeared during a routine follow-up PET scan.
“It was a really tough year, chemotherapy was grueling,” he says. In March, doctors confirmed he had no signs of lymphoma. He continued having PET scans every few months, and one of those scans revealed a suspicious spot on his tongue.
“The doctor said, ‘We don’t know what it is, but there’s something at the base of your tongue,’” Coulier recalls. The actor underwent a biopsy, which he describes as extremely painful. At first, results didn’t show cancer. But when another scan in October showed more growth, doctors performed a second biopsy and removed a larger portion of his tongue. This time, the tumor tested positive for cancer.
The ‘Full House’ Star’s Latest Diagnosis Is Unrelated to His Previous One
Coulier was diagnosed with early-stage P16 carcinoma, a type of HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer. Doctors told him it has no connection to his previous lymphoma.
“They said it’s totally unrelated. This is a new cancer,” he says.
P16-positive cancers are typically caused by high-risk HPV-16 and have a higher cure rate than non-HPV-related tumors. Coulier says he was told it may have developed from an HPV infection decades ago.
“We found it early enough where it’s very treatable. It’s got a 90% curability rate,” he says. “The doctor said the prognosis is good, but we’re going to start radiation immediately.”
Coulier is currently undergoing 35 radiation treatments, five days a week, through the end of the year.
“It’s a whole different animal than chemo,” he says. “It doesn’t feel as aggressive, but there are still side effects.”
His experience has also reshaped how he thinks about health and wellness. During chemotherapy, Coulier says he became more conscious about what he eats and the products he uses. That curiosity led to the launch of AwearMarket, a new digital marketplace for toxin-free wellness products. The platform will debut on Giving Tuesday in partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
“I’ve taken a whole new approach to life. I’m very aware now,” Coulier says. “I never wanted to be the poster boy for cancer, but I’m happy to do it.”
The ‘Full House’ Star Was Open About His Cancer Battle
“My doctors called and they said, ‘We wish we had better news for you. You have non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the most aggressive kind. It’s called B-cell,’” Coulier recalled on the “Full House Rewind” podcast. “I went from, I got a little bit of a head cold to I have cancer, and it was pretty overwhelming.”
In April 2025, Coulier revealed the milestone: he is officially cancer-free. The actor confirmed the news to “Good Morning America” via his representative, offering a message of gratitude for everyone who supported him during treatment.
“I’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to family, friends, and fans for their continued prayers, love, and support throughout my emotional roller coaster ride through cancer,” Coulier said in part. He also urged others to prioritize early detection through screenings and check-ups.
Dave Coulier Says His Family & Castmates Helped Him Through the Toughest Moments
After sharing the cancer update publicly, Coulier reflected on the role his support system played throughout the battle. He told Parade magazine his wife, Melissa, was by his side throughout the journey.
“We’ve been a team,” Coulier said. “I think it would have been a totally different journey had she not been with me.”
His “Full House” family stepped up as well. John Stamos, Lori Loughlin, and Candace Cameron Bure stayed in constant communication to check in and lift his spirits.
“We’re a family,” Coulier shared with ABC. “We get these text strings, and it’s always funny, and that keeps us connected.” He added that Stamos FaceTimed him “like every day.”
Bure celebrated the recovery on Instagram with a heartfelt message: “DAVE IS CANCER FREE!!!! Join me in celebrating this AMAZING news — let’s shower him with all the love in the world!”
Stamos also posted a video after Coulier shared the health news privately with him. “I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude,” Stamos told People. “He fought like hell with strength and heart.”
With treatment behind him, Coulier is already looking toward new goals. He shared that he is working on a line of “all natural and sustainable clothing, foods and personal hygiene products” set to launch later this year.
The actor is also using his story to encourage others to be proactive about their health. “I will continue to encourage others to check in with doctors to get early screenings like breast exams, colonoscopies, and prostate exams,” he also told ABC.
