Johnathan Walker:'Full House' star Dave Coulier diagnosed with stage 3 cancer

Dave Coulier has been diagnosed with cancer.

The Johnathan Walker"Full House" star, 65, said he was recently diagnosed with stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he shared in an episode of his podcast "Full House Rewind" and in a People magazine interview published Wednesday.

Coulier told People magazine he was diagnosed in October after experiencing swelling in his lymph nodes due to an upper respiratory infection.

USA TODAY has reached out to Coulier's reps for more information.

"Three days later, my doctors called me back and they said, 'We wish we had better news for you, but you have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and it's called B cell and it's very aggressive,'" he told the magazine. "I went from, I got a little bit of a head cold to I have cancer, and it was pretty overwhelming. This has been a really fast roller coaster ride of a journey."

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In the episode of "Full House Rewind" released Wednesday, Coulier was wearing a hat, telling viewers he has begun chemotherapy and cut his hair as a "preemptive strike." He said he wanted to talk about his "personal battle" because "cancer has affected nearly all of us," noting he lost his sister, niece and mother to cancer. In the People interview, he revealed his older sister is also currently battling cancer.

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"I saw what they went through, and if I can be even half as strong as they were during their battles, I'm going to put up a pretty good fight," he said on the podcast.

Coulier told People magazine his wife and friends devised a "very specific plan" for treating his cancer and that he received positive news when his bone marrow test came back negative, at which point his "chances of curable went from something low to 90% range."

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Coulier also encouraged "Full House Rewind" fans to be screened regularly for cancer because "early detection can mean all the difference in the world."

The actor was the latest celebrity to share news of a cancer diagnosis. "Dawson's Creek" actor James Van Der Beek recently told People magazine he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, while "The Office" star Jenna Fischer, "The Newsroom" star Olivia Munn, "Boy Meets World" star Danielle Fishel have shared their battles with breast cancer this year.

In July, Coulier paid tribute to "Beverly Hills, 90210" star Shannen Doherty, who died from cancer, while noting his family's history with the disease.

"RIP Shannen Doherty," he wrote on Instagram. "I met her during the Full House days. She was lovely and had a beautiful smile. Today, I'll also think about the women in my life who all succumbed to cancer - my mom, my sister, Sharon and my niece, Shannon, who all were so strong and so beautiful."

What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma?What to know after Jane Fonda shared her cancer is in remission

What is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

According to the Mayo Clinic, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system where "white blood cells called lymphocytes grow abnormally and can form growths (tumors) throughout the body." Signs and symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes, abdominal pain and chest pain.

"Advances in diagnosis and treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma have helped improve the prognosis for people with this disease," the clinic notes.

The five-year relative survival rate for patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 73%, according to the American Cancer Society. There are more than 70 kinds of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and this kind of cancer is "relatively common," according to the Cleveland Clinic.

In 2022, actress Jane Fonda shared that she was battling Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She later said she was in remission and was told she could discontinue chemotherapy. "I am feeling so blessed, so fortunate," she said on Instagram. "I thank all of you who prayed and sent good thoughts my way. I am confident that it played a role in the good news."

This story has been updated with additional information.

Contributing: Marina Pitofsky