Panthers head coach Dave Canales got a real wake-up call this offseason.
Canales revealed in a recent interview that he had a cancerous growth removed from his nose earlier this year. He shared the news to encourage other people to get checked out, especially men who tend to put off regular dermatology appointments until something visible appears.
“I had a little spot on my nose,” Canales told reporters. “I went and got it checked. They removed it. Everything came back clean. I just wanted to share it because guys do not always go to the doctor.”
The diagnosis was a basal cell carcinoma, which is the most common form of skin cancer and one of the most treatable when caught early. Canales said the spot had been there for a while before he finally got it checked, which is typical. Most people put these things off until they get pushed by a partner or a routine physical.
The procedure was straightforward and Canales is fully recovered. He has been on the practice field for OTAs and is in full coaching mode for the Panthers ahead of training camp.
This is the kind of story that gets less attention than it should. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and football coaches who spend their summer days on practice fields are particularly at risk. Most of them do not wear adequate sun protection. Most of them are dealing with high-stress jobs that push routine health screenings to the back burner.
Canales sharing the diagnosis publicly is a service to other coaches, players, and fans. The reminder to get checked is the kind of thing that saves lives. Basal cell carcinomas are highly treatable when caught early and can become life-threatening when ignored for too long.
The Panthers organization handled the news professionally. The team supported Canales through the procedure and recovery, and his return to coaching duties was seamless. There has been no concern about his ability to lead the team or his long-term health.
This is also Canales’ second year as the Panthers head coach. The team showed real signs of progress last season, with Bryce Young finally taking steps forward as a starter and the offense becoming more efficient. The franchise has been building toward something. The health scare did not derail that progress.
Canales has talked openly about his faith and his family throughout his coaching career. The decision to share the cancer story publicly is consistent with the way he has always operated. He is not a coach who tries to hide things or manage his public image carefully. He says what he thinks and trusts people to react reasonably.
For Panthers fans, this is mostly a good story. Their head coach is healthy, he is in good spirits, and he is using a personal scare to encourage others to take their health seriously. That is the kind of leadership you want from the guy running your franchise.
For everyone else, the reminder is simple. Get the spot checked. Do not wait. The early visit is always the right call.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
