Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales showed up to minicamp Tuesday with a bandage on his nose and revealed he recently had skin cancer removed.
Canales told reporters that doctors found a small spot of basal cell carcinoma on his nose after a routine skin cancer screening conducted by the Panthers.
The 45-year-old coach said the spot was removed and used the moment to urge others not to brush off routine checks.
‘It’s a good reminder not to take these things for granted,’ Canales said. ‘It was a basal cell type of skin cancer in a small spot, and they were able to get it off. So I’m really appreciative.’
Canales said skin cancer runs in his family, noting that his mother dealt with skin cancer issues when she was in her 40s.
Because of that history, he said he has tried to be careful about using sunscreen, especially after years spent outdoors as both an athlete and a coach.
‘You can imagine a Southern California kid playing outdoor sports and then getting into coaching, right?’ Canales said.
Dave Canales had basal cell carcinoma recently removed from his nose. Reminded all to get screened. pic.twitter.com/Zq0MynEHrh
— Joe Person (@josephperson) June 9, 2026
‘This is my opportunity to say, go get screened. This is something that can be caught and detected early.’
Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing and highly curable form of skin cancer.
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, it is the most common form of skin cancer and rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Basal cells are small cells found in the outer layer of the skin.
Canales has served as head coach of the Panthers since 2024 after previously working as offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Since taking over in Carolina, Canales has posted a 13-21 record with the Panthers.
His message Tuesday was bigger than football: get checked, especially if there is a family history or years of sun exposure.
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