Dave Coulier Says He’s Cancer-Free Again as Tongue Cancer Goes Into Remission
Actor Dave Coulier, 66, best known for his role as Uncle Joey in the ’90s sitcom Full House, has revealed his tongue cancer is in remission. He’s declaring himself “cancer-free” after two cancer diagnoses in two years.
According to ABC News, Coulier learned something was wrong during a follow-up PET scan for his earlier Stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The scan flagged an area in his throat, and doctors told him they needed to take a closer look.
That PET scan led to a biopsy, confirming cancer, which Coulier said was “totally unrelated” to the lymphoma.
The Los Angeles Times reported that he said he needed 35 rounds of radiation treatment for tongue cancer, and he talked about how rough radiation can be on your body and your mood.
Coulier told Good Morning America that his wife, friends, and John Stamos helped keep him laughing when things got dark, and that he’s trying to stay on top of regular checkups now.
That last point is incredibly important. Too often, people put off seeing doctors after noticing issues. Worse still, they put off appointments that are meant to find health issues before they become major problems. This is why celebrities coming forward to talk about their own health issues is important, it can help jolt others into action.
The two areas of tongue cancer
The Mayo Clinic notes that tongue cancer may refer to the front part of the tongue (in the mouth) or cancer that starts farther back toward the throat.
Doctors treat each area differently, based on where the tumor sits and how far it has spread.
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows HPV is thought to cause about 60% to 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States, and that area includes the base of the tongue.
Coulier said his cancer was “p16 squamous carcinoma at the base of the tongue,” which falls into the head and neck area, where squamous cell cancers are common.
A Variety report also mentioned he previously described a “90% curability rate,” along with the plan for 35 radiation sessions.
Symptoms that shouldn’t get brushed off
The American Cancer Society lists warning signs that can look annoyingly ordinary at first. These include:
- A sore on the tongue or in the mouth that doesn’t heal
- A red or white patch
- Mouth pain that won’t quit
- A lump or thickened area in the mouth or cheek
- Trouble chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue
- A persistent sore throat
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- A lump in the neck
If you have any of the above symptoms for more than two weeks, even if they come and go, see your doctor.
Importantly, if you have trouble breathing, can’t swallow liquids, have significant bleeding, or a fast-growing neck lump, seek medical advice immediately.
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