Panthers coach Dave Canales says basal cell carcinoma removed

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Tuesday he recently underwent a procedure to remove basal cell carcinoma from his nose after a routine skin screening conducted by the team found a small spot.

Canales, 45, appeared at work with a bandage on his nose and said the episode was a reminder not to skip regular health checks. He said the spot tested positive and was removed during the procedure.

He did not indicate the condition would affect his day-to-day responsibilities, and he did not describe any change to his workload.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and is typically highly curable, slow-growing and rarely spreads to other parts of the body.

Routine screening helped identify the issue

Canales said the spot was found during a team-arranged skin cancer screening. He framed the early detection as a benefit of staying current with routine medical checks.

Professional teams commonly run screenings and medical evaluations during offseason and training periods. Early detection can reduce the likelihood of more complicated treatment later.

Family history and his message to players and fans

Canales said his mother dealt with skin cancer in her 40s, which has made him more diligent about sunscreen use and regular screenings.

The Panthers continued their offseason program with Canales in place as head coach, with the team’s on-field focus remaining on offseason work while he carries on with his normal duties unless the club indicates otherwise.