‘Full House’ star diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

On November 13, 2024By Littum

Dave Coulier has been diagnosed with cancer.

The “Full House” star, 65, said he was recently diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he shared on an episode of his podcast “Full House Rewind” and in one People magazine interview published Wednesday.

Coulier told People magazine that he was diagnosed in October after experiencing swelling in his lymph nodes due to an upper respiratory infection.

USA TODAY has reached out to Coulier’s representatives for more information.

“Three days later, my doctors called me back and they said, ‘We wish we had better news for you, but you have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and it’s called B-cell, and it’s very aggressive,'” he told the magazine. “I went from having a little bit of a cold to having cancer and it was pretty overwhelming. It’s been a really fast rollercoaster of a journey.”

In the episode of “Full House Rewind” that aired Wednesday, Coulier wore a hat and told viewers he had started chemotherapy and cut his hair as a “preemptive strike.” He said he wanted to talk about his “personal struggle” because “cancer has affected almost all of us,” noting that he lost his sister, niece and mother to cancer. In the People interview, he revealed that his older sister is also currently battling cancer.

“I saw what they went through and if I can be even half as strong as they were during their matches, I’m going to put up a pretty good fight,” he said on the podcast.

Coulier told People magazine that his wife and friends came up with a “very specific plan” to treat his cancer, and that he received positive news when his bone marrow test came back negative, after which his “chance of recovery went from something low to 90% area.”

Coulier also urged “Full House Rewind” fans to get screened regularly for cancer because “early detection can mean all the difference in the world.”

The actor was the latest celebrity to share news of a cancer diagnosis. “Dawson’s Creek” actor James Van Der Beek recently told People magazine he has been diagnosed with colon cancer, while “The Office” star Jenna Fischer, “The Newsroom” star Olivia Munn, “Boy Meets World” star Danielle Fishel have shared their battles with breast cancer this year.

In July, Coulier paid tribute to “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Shannen Doherty, who died of cancer while chronicling her family’s history with the disease.

“RIP Shannen Doherty,” he wrote on Instagram. “I met her during the Full House days. She was lovely and had a beautiful smile. Today I also want to think about the women in my life who all succumbed to cancer – my mother, my sister, Sharon and my niece, Shannon , all of whom were so strong and so beautiful.”

What is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

According to the Mayo Clinicnon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, where “white blood cells called lymphocytes grow abnormally and can form growths (tumors) throughout the body.” Signs and symptoms may include swollen lymph nodes, abdominal pain, and chest pain.

“Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have helped improve the prognosis for people with this disease,” the clinic notes.

The relative five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 73%, according to the American Cancer Society. There are more than 70 types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and this type of cancer is “relatively common” according to the Cleveland Clinic.

In 2022, actress Jane Fonda shared that she was battling Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She later said she was in remission and was told she could stop chemotherapy. “I feel so blessed, so lucky,” she said on Instagram. “I thank all of you who prayed and sent good thoughts my way. I’m sure that played a role in the good news.”

This story has been updated with additional information.

Starring: Marina Pitofsky