‘Full House’ Star Dave Coulier on Surviving Two Cancers

For Dave Coulier, listening to his body didn’t just change the course of his health — it saved his life twice. The “Full House” star revealed he is now in complete remission after battling two separate cancer diagnoses in just 18 months, and he’s using his experience to urge Americans not to ignore warning signs or delay seeing a doctor.

Coulier credits routine medical visits and early detection for catching his second cancer early, calling that moment life-changing. The actor, who recently launched AWEAR Market, shared that subtle symptoms were easy to dismiss at first — low energy, not feeling quite right — until one morning when he felt a lump in his groin while taking a shower. At the urging of his wife, Melissa, he immediately called his doctor. That decision, he says, made all the difference.

“Listen to Your Body”

Coulier believes the body often sends signals long before a diagnosis is made. He said it’s common for people to brush off symptoms, convincing themselves they’re tired, run down, or fighting off a minor illness. In his case, paying attention to those early warning signs led to timely medical care.

He emphasized that procrastination can be dangerous when it comes to cancer. While people delay, he noted, cancer continues working in the background. Coulier encouraged others to put pride aside, be vulnerable, and talk to medical professionals instead of waiting to see if symptoms pass on their own.

Two Cancer Battles in 18 Months

Doctors diagnosed Coulier with HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer in October 2025, just months after he had celebrated recovering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. During a routine six-month checkup and PET scan, doctors discovered an enlarged tumor. Coulier initially believed it was related to his lymphoma, but later learned it was a separate cancer entirely.

After undergoing 35 rounds of radiation and robotic surgery on his tongue, Coulier reached complete remission. He described the emotional and physical toll of facing two cancers in such a short span as overwhelming, calling it a “double whammy.” Cancer, he said, affects far more than the body — it challenges a person psychologically and emotionally as well.

Turning Survival Into Advocacy

Early detection, Coulier said, spared him from a far more difficult battle. The experience reshaped his life and led him to become an ambassador for The V Foundation for Cancer Research and the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer. He now speaks openly about the importance of regular medical screenings, including colonoscopies, prostate exams and mammograms.

Though he never wanted to be known as a “poster boy for cancer,” Coulier said he is willing to use his platform to encourage others to seek early detection and medical care. His message is simple but urgent: early action can save lives.

Vulnerability, Support, and Moving Forward

Coulier also reflected on the emotional reality of cancer treatment, acknowledging how difficult it was to accept help and show vulnerability. He credited his wife, Melissa, for standing by him daily through his recovery and supporting him during moments when he struggled physically and emotionally.

For Coulier, the experience reshaped how he views strength. He said many men feel pressure to be providers and pillars of stability, even when facing serious illness. Learning to accept support, he shared, became part of his healing process.

Today, in remission and launching new ventures like AWEAR Market, Coulier hopes his story will prompt others to listen to their bodies, seek medical guidance early, and never assume that small symptoms are something to ignore.