Kit Roberts
Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
Actor Dave Coulier has updated fans on his health after having not one, but two brushes with cancer.
Even having cancer once is an awful experience, but Coulier has had to endure the awful health condition on two occasions within two years.
Coulier had previously shared the great news that he was in recovery from stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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But sadly the celebrations would be short-lived, as not long afterwards Coulier was diagnosed with a form of tongue cancer.
The 66-year-old Full House star announced his second diagnosis in December, only a few months after saying that he was cleared for his first cancer.
He had gone for a six month checkup with doctors, when a PET scan revealed a flare up where the tongue meets the throat, which was diagnosed as p16 squamous carcinoma.
Now, Coulier has issued another health update after undergoing intensive treatment.
Speaking to Good Morning America, he confirmed the happy news that he is now in remission for his second diagnosis as well as the first.
He said: "It’s been a roller coaster ride for sure. I’m in remission with both cancers. And what a journey this has been."
And while this has been a hugely difficult time for him, Coulier had a surprising reflection on his first cancer diagnosis, saying that he was actually 'thankful' for it.
Explaining why, he told PEOPLE: "It turns out, if I hadn’t had that PET scan, then they wouldn’t have had this early of a detection and I’d have been in [...] a world of pain soon.
"So as weird as this sounds, I’m now actually thankful for the first cancer, because it helped me detect this second one."
Early detection can literally be the difference between life and death with cancer, so carrying out checks at home and attending screenings if you are in a risk group are both very important.
The actor also opened up about some of the ways that he got through his ordeal, including a visit from his Full House co-star John Stamos.
"John flew into Michigan, came and visited us, and made me laugh," he said on Good Morning America. "He's my brother. He wore a bald cap and when he came around the corner dressed like that, I dropped to the floor laughing.
"He got COVID while he was staying with us, so we were like two fifth graders sitting in the hallway, talking to each other with walkie talkies. We're very mature!"
Now, Coulier is keen to encourage people to always get their checkups, saying: "I feel as though I can help people.
"I never wanted to be the poster boy for cancer, believe me. But now I feel like I can encourage people to get those prostate exams and mammograms. Talk to your doctors and get ahead of this."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.