Full House Star Dave Coulier Urges Early Cancer Detection After Battling Two Diagnoses

The actor credits routine medical visits with saving his life twice and is now on a mission to encourage others to listen to their bodies.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Dave Coulier, known for his role on the sitcom Full House, recently revealed that he has entered complete remission after battling two different cancer diagnoses in the last 18 months. Coulier credited early detection with saving his life, urging others not to ignore warning signs and to be proactive about their health by getting regular checkups. The 66-year-old actor was first diagnosed with HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer in October 2025, just months after recovering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Coulier underwent 35 rounds of radiation and painful robotic surgery on his tongue before entering remission.

Why it matters

Coulier's story highlights the importance of early cancer detection and the need for people to be vigilant about their health. By catching his second cancer early, Coulier was able to avoid a "world of hurt" and continue his fight against the disease. His openness about his experience is also inspiring others to prioritize their wellbeing and not ignore potential warning signs.

The details

Coulier said he initially noticed something was off when he wasn't feeling right and lacked energy. While taking a shower, he also felt a lump in his groin area. At the urging of his wife, Melissa, Coulier made an appointment with his doctor, which led to the discovery of his second cancer diagnosis just months after recovering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After undergoing 35 rounds of radiation and a painful robotic surgery on his tongue, Coulier has now entered complete remission.

  • In October 2025, Coulier was diagnosed with HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer.
  • Just months after celebrating his recovery from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Coulier's doctors discovered a flare-up had returned as an enlarged tumor during a routine checkup and PET scans.

The players

Dave Coulier

A 66-year-old actor known for his role on the sitcom Full House who recently entered complete remission after battling two different cancer diagnoses in the last 18 months.

Melissa Coulier

Dave Coulier's wife, who urged him to make an appointment with his doctor when he noticed concerning changes in his body.

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What they’re saying

“Listen to your body. Your body will tell you things. And my body was telling me something's going on. I wasn't feeling right, and I didn't have a lot of energy. And then I was taking a shower one morning and felt a lump in my groin area. And had I just thought, 'Ah, I haven't been feeling very well. It's maybe a cold or something. My body is just naturally fighting this off.' Had I not taken the step to call my doctor, at the urging of my wife, Melissa – she said, 'We're calling now, and making that appointment' – things would have been much different. We caught it early.”

— Dave Coulier, Actor (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

Coulier has become a staunch advocate for early cancer detection and plans to continue using his platform to encourage others to prioritize their health and get regular checkups.

The takeaway

Coulier's story serves as a powerful reminder that paying attention to subtle changes in one's body and being proactive about seeking medical attention can make a significant difference in the fight against cancer. His openness about his experience is inspiring others to take their health seriously and not ignore potential warning signs.