'Full House' star Dave Coulier diagnosed with stage 3 cancer

Dave Coulier has been diagnosed with cancer.

The "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. "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.

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

Dave Coulier shares emotional 2021 voicemail from Bob Saget: 'I love you, Dave'

"I went from, I got a little bit of a head cold to I have cancer, and it was pretty overwhelming," the actor told the outlet. "This has been a really fast roller coaster ride of a journey."

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.

"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 Melissa and his 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."

James Van Der Beek reveals colon cancer diagnosis: 'I'm feeling good'

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

Dave Coulier should be in 'total remission' by February, he says

Coulier provided more details about his treatment plan on the "Today" show.

He has so far had three surgeries and undergone one round of chemotherapy, with the next round scheduled for Friday. But doctors say Coulier should be done with chemotherapy and in "total remission" by February if all goes well, he said.

Speaking with Today.com, the Uncle Joey actor reflected that after being diagnosed with cancer but before learning what stage it was, a sense of acceptance set in.

Read more about the celebrities you love: Sign up for USA TODAY's Everyone's Talking newsletter.

"I told Melissa I don't know why, but I (am) OK with whatever the news (is) going to be no matter how devastating. … I can't explain where that came from," he told the site. "I've had an incredible life. I've had the most amazing people in my life. This has been an extraordinary journey, and I'm OK if this is the end of the journey."

But Coulier also said on the "Today" show that his wife initially thought he was kidding when he told her he had cancer. "She said, 'Come on, quit making jokes.' And I said, 'No, I (do).' Once that settled in, it was a gut punch."

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, and "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's 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."

John Stamos, Candace Cameron Bure support Dave Coulier amid cancer battle

John Stamos, who starred opposite Coulier as Uncle Jesse on "Full House," showed support for his former co-star in a touching Instagram post that included a gallery of photos of them over the years.

"My brother from day 1," he wrote. "Love you @dcoulier and I'll be by your side through it all."

Candace Cameron Bure, who starred as D.J. Tanner on the show, also expressed her love for Coulier in an Instagram story. She said she is "praying through this journey with him" and will be "with him every step of the way."

Dave Coulier shared cancer news with 'Full House' co-stars in a group text, Stamos will visit amid chemo

Coulier told People magazine he shared his cancer diagnosis with his former "Full House" co-stars in a group text before announcing it publicly, and they were all quick to offer their support. The group text included Stamos, Bure, Andrea Barber, Jodie Sweetin, Lori Loughlin, Scott Weinger and the series' creator, Jeff Franklin.

"It was just this outpouring of, 'I will be there. You just name the time, and I know you're in great hands with Mel, but what can we do?'" he told People. "It really is overwhelming the love that we have for each other. We've been there for so many years for each other and it's pretty remarkable."

Coulier also revealed Stamos is coming to visit him the day after his next round of chemotherapy. "He goes, 'If you want to just sleep, I'll just sit by you or if you want to listen to music or just talk, whatever.' And I'm just like, 'Wow. That's like a brother. That's just truly a brother.'"

This story has been updated with additional information.

Contributing: Marina Pitofsky

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dave Coulier cancer: 'Full House' star diagnosed Non-Hodgkin lymphoma