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Full House legend's devastating battle with 'very aggressive' cancer

Dave Coulier recalled the moment he got diagnosed with cancer, his immunity problems after chemotherapy, and the beacons of hope he's had along the way.

Dave Coulier
Dave Coulier went through chemotherapy, leaving his immune system 'crashed'(Image: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)

Full House fans lost one of their most beloved stars when Bob Saget passed away in early 2022. Now, his long-time co-star and on-screen best friend, Dave Coulier - who played Joey Gladstone - revealed he has survived cancer.


In October 2024, the 65-year-old actor was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma - an aggressive form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. It was a shock. Coulier first noticed something was wrong after a lump appeared on his groin. “It swelled up immediately,” he recalled on the Today show. “I thought, ‘Wow, I’m either really sick, or my body’s really reacting to something.’”


A trip to the doctor confirmed it as Dave explained: “The first thing I said to them was, ‘Wait a minute – cancer?’ It felt like I got punched in the stomach. Because it never happens to you. You always hear about it happening to someone else.”

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By the time of the diagnosis, the cancer had progressed. Stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma typically means the cancer has spread to lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm and may have reached nearby organs. It affects the body’s white blood cells, which are crucial to fighting infection.

In a recent episode of How Rude, Tanneritos! - the Full House rewatch podcast hosted by his former co-stars Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber - Coulier joined to share the “incredible news” that he was now cancer-free. “To celebrate Dave kicking cancer’s butt, we wanted to chat with him today about his journey and spread some awareness for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” Sweetin told listeners.

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Coulier explained it had been “about three weeks” between his final chemotherapy session and receiving the life-changing confirmation that he was in remission but he said those three weeks were some of the hardest. “My blood levels were so low because after chemo treatment, red blood cells dive. All your levels, your white blood cells, everything - your immune system just kind of crashes,” he said.

During that vulnerable time, he caught a cold which, under normal circumstances, wouldn’t have been an issue, but it hit him hard. “I felt pretty sick,” he added. His weakened immune system also led to further complications. Doctors spotted “ground-glass opacity” in a scan of his lungs - hazy gray areas that can indicate respiratory infection or inflammation.

Combined with the virus, it “wreaked havoc” on his recovery. “There was so much cancer-related fatigue that got progressively worse and worse and worse, and I thought, ‘Wow, this is how it's going to go,’” he shared in a Parade interview.


The side effects of the chemotherapy began to pile up. “Neuropathy, which I hadn't experienced before, started to increase. Nausea started to increase. Dizziness started to increase,” Coulier recalled. “They call it ‘chemo brain,’ where you're a bit foggy - that started to increase.” On some days, he said, he was barely able to move. “Though I wanted to go out and work around the house, I just couldn't.”

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Despite the toll, Coulier stayed in close communication with his doctors and attended regular checkups. Thankfully, a PET scan eventually revealed no cancer cells remained and his team was hopeful. “The chemo combined with the type of lymphoma I have means there’s a very high curability rate,” he explained.

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He also reflected openly on the emotional weight of his diagnosis. “I’ve thought about death. I’ve gone to that place. And I’m prepared either way,” he said. “I just thought, ‘Well, if this is it for me, I’ve had a great life.’”

His Instagram bio now reads “Cancer Survivor,” with a link to Lymphoma.org, the Lymphoma Research Foundation website, where fans can learn more or support the cause.

Alongside the challenges, the actor has also welcomed moments of pure joy. Just days before his podcast appearance, Coulier became a grandfather when his son Luc and daughter-in-law Alex welcomed a baby boy on 27 March. “We’re so excited,” he said. “My son and his wife live in California, so we’ll be making multiple trips to see that little boy."

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