Dave Coulier, \u201cFull House\u2019s\u201d goofy Uncle Joey, is battling cancer once more \u2014 months after ending his fight with lymphoma. <\/p>\n
The beloved sitcom star, 66, announced Tuesday that he was diagnosed in October with a form of tongue cancer. Coulier revealed the latest update about his health when he returned to NBC\u2019s \u201cToday,\u201d <\/a>where he announced his Stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis last year.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI went in for a PET scan, just a routine checkup, and something flared on the PET scan,\u201d the comedian told \u201cToday\u2019s\u201d Craig Melvin. \u201cIt turned out that I have P16 squamous carcinoma at the base of my tongue.\u201d <\/p>\n Doctors said that the two cancers are \u201ctotally unrelated,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n In a separate off-air conversation with \u201cToday<\/a>,\u201d Coulier explained that the cancer \u201ccould stem from having an HPV virus up to 30 years ago,\u201d adding that doctors said his virus \u201cactivated and turned into a carcinoma.\u201d According to the American Cancer Society<\/a>, P16 refers to the protein that signals an HPV infection. The Mayo Clinic<\/a> says squamous cell carcinoma is a form of cancer that begins as a growth on the cells of the skin and that an HPV infection is among the risk factors. <\/p>\n Coulier explained to \u201cToday\u201d that doctors initially spotted the mass at the base of his tongue and performed a \u201cvery painful\u201d biopsy, which didn\u2019t show signs of cancer. Doctors in October noticed the growth had increased in size and flared up, prompting Coulier to seek additional testing. Doctors performed another biopsy, removing a larger piece of his tongue, and the sample tested positive for cancerous cells, according to \u201cToday.\u201d<\/p>\n Coulier told Melvin during Tuesday\u2019s broadcast that he is undergoing 35 rounds of radiation treatment to address the tongue cancer and plans to wrap up treatment by the end of the year \u2014 Dec. 31, specifically. <\/p>\n \u201c[The] prognosis is very good for P16 squamous carcinoma,\u201d Coulier reassured. \u201cIt has a 90+ curability rate.\u201d<\/p>\n Since battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma last year, Coulier has been open about his health, sharing details about his treatment, recalling the cancer\u2019s toll on his immune system<\/a> and reveling in the outpouring of support <\/a>from his \u201cFull House\u201d family. He was deemed cancer-free in late March.<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cFull House\u201d co-star John Stamos <\/a>cheered on his friend amid his health revelation, calling Coulier \u201cmy man!!\u201d in an Instagram story<\/a>. <\/p>\n During his \u201cToday\u201d appearance, Coulier was also open about how his first cancer battle inspired him to launch AwearMarket, an online marketplace that features what it calls \u201cnon-toxic brands,\u201d specializing in everyday goods such as hygiene products and clothing. Reflecting on his weakened immune system, Coulier said he \u201cstarted to see that I was surrounded by toxicity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll the products I was using in my life were really bad, filled with really bad things,\u201d he said, adding that he launched Awear<\/a> with the mission of replacing those products. <\/p>\n Coulier ended his \u201cToday\u201d appearance by telling Melvin that \u201cearly detection saved my life\u201d in both cancer battles. Tests, including prostate exams and mammograms, Coulier said, \u201cwill save your life.\u201d<\/p>\n