Panthers coach Dave Canales has skin cancer removed

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales revealed on Tuesday that he recently underwent a procedure to remove a small skin cancer spot from his nose. The 45-year-old coach made the announcement at a press conference while wearing a bandage over the surgical site.

Canales explained that the basal cell carcinoma was discovered during a routine skin cancer screening provided by the team's medical staff a couple of months ago. He underwent the procedure to have it removed last Friday. He described the diagnosis as a good reminder not to take health screenings for granted, expressing gratitude that the cancer was caught early and fully removed.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. Medical experts note it is highly curable, slow-growing, and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Canales shared a personal connection to the disease, revealing that his mother, Ritha, also dealt with skin cancer when she was in her 40s. Because of his family history and his background as an athlete who spent significant time outdoors in Southern California, Canales said he has long been diligent about using sunscreen.

The coach used the moment to encourage others to get...