‘Full House’ star Dave Coulier reveals new cancer diagnosis just months after beating lymphoma
The actor, known for playing Uncle Joey, shares he's now battling tongue cancer but remains hopeful thanks to early detection.
Just months after announcing he was cancer-free, beloved Full House actor Dave Coulier has revealed he is now facing a new cancer diagnosis—this time, tongue cancer.
In April 2025, fans of Dave Coulier celebrated when he shared he was free of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer he had been diagnosed with in November 2024. But during a recent appearance on NBC’s Today show, Coulier shared heartbreaking news: doctors have found another, unrelated cancer.
“In October of this year, I went in for a PET scan, just a routine check-up, and something flared,” he explained. “It turned out that I have P16 squamous carcinoma at the base of my tongue.”
Doctors assured him this diagnosis had no connection to his previous lymphoma.
Undergoing treatment with hope
Coulier is currently in the middle of an intense treatment plan, including 35 rounds of radiation therapy, which he expects to complete by December 31.
Despite the difficult journey, the 65-year-old actor remains optimistic. “Prognosis is very good for P16 squamous carcinoma,” he said. “It has a 90+ curability rate.”
He credits early detection for saving his life—twice.
This is not Coulier’s first experience with the heartbreak of cancer. Over the years, he has lost multiple close family members to the disease.
“I lost my mom to breast cancer. I lost my sister Sharon—she was only 36. And my niece, Shannon, was just 29,” he shared in a previous interview with People magazine. During his own fight with lymphoma, his older sister Karen was also battling cancer.
“I saw what those women in my family went through, and I thought, ‘If I can be just 1/10th of a percent as strong as they were, then I’m going to be just fine.’”
Coulier’s openness about his health struggles comes with a heartfelt mission: to encourage others to prioritize their health and screenings.
“I hope you’re getting your check-ups. I hope your colonoscopies, breast exams, and prostate exams—they will save your life,” he said.
He added, “Take great care of yourself, because there’s a lot to live for.”
Dave Coulier is facing another tough fight, but his courage, positivity, and focus on early detection offer a powerful reminder for all of us. In the face of a second cancer diagnosis, he continues to inspire others to value their health, seek medical advice, and hold on to hope.
Our thoughts are with Dave and his family as he completes his treatment and continues to share his journey with the world.
