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Dave Coulier is sharing a unfortunate update on his health months after beating cancer.
On Tuesday (December 2), the Full House star revealed that he has been diagnosed with tongue cancer, calling it a "shock to the system" to receive the diagnosis months after he beat non-Hodgkin lymphoma, per Page Six. Speaking with the Today Show, Coulier explained that he was diagnosed with early stage, P16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma that is "totally unrelated" to his previous cancer.
Coulier added that doctors told him the HPV-related cancer could stem from an infection up to 30 years ago that the virus "activated and turned into carcinoma.
The journey to his new diagnosis began after a routine PET scan months ago revealed "something at the base of [his] tongue." After a "very painful" biopsy didn't show signs of cancer, doctors were still "not sure" what it could be; however another scan in October indicated that it had grown and another biopsy tested positive for cancerous cells.
"They said it's totally unrelated to my non-Hodgkin's lymphoma," he said. "This is a new cancer... I said, 'Are you kidding me?'"
Coulier remains "cautiously optimistic," assuring fans that doctors have told him that "the prognosis is good" and that the early stage of the cancer is "very treatable" and has a "90 percent curability rate." As such, he started radiation "immediately" and is currently undergoing 35 treatments, which should wrap up by the end of the year.
While speaking to People following his news, Coulier reflected on the "shock" of a second cancer diagnosis while sharing the silver lining that he can use his story to encourage others to follow through on routine check ups.
"I kind of lucked out with these two cancers because they're 'good cancers' — if that's even possible to say," he said. "I feel like I'm being allowed to get healthy again so that I can be a voice to encourage early detection and tell people to get those prostate exams, mammograms and colonoscopies. Early detection has saved my life twice."