What was supposed to be a routine appointment turned into a life-altering moment when Kelli Finglass learned she had cancer, a diagnosis that prompted the longtime Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director to speak publicly despite her usual reluctance to discuss personal health matters.
Known to many through the Netflix series America’s Sweethearts, Finglass said the discovery came during a standard screening required before cosmetic treatment, not because of any symptoms she noticed herself.
In a candid video shared with followers, the 61-year-old explained why she felt compelled to share the news.
“My grandmother, Grandma Polly, has always told me not to talk about health with people. But I’m compelled to …” she said, acknowledging that the experience might help others take preventive care more seriously.
Doctors examined several suspicious areas during the visit, performing biopsies on five spots. Finglass initially received reassuring news, but one result stood out.
“I got some good news and some bad news,” she said. Four spots were benign, but one on her forehead was not. “The left forehead, that’s the one that sucks. This little guy right here,” she added, pointing to the small mark.
A diagnosis hidden in plain sight
The biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer often linked to cumulative sun exposure. Finglass explained that treatment will involve Mohs micrographic surgery, a precise procedure designed to remove cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy skin as possible.
“This one is squamous cell carcinoma, so I get to schedule a Mohs micrographic surgery. I call it scoop and stitch, they scoop out skin, they check your margins, and then they stitch you up like a football,” she said.
What unsettled her most was how easily the cancer could have been missed. The spot was tiny and caused no pain or obvious change, something she emphasized repeatedly as a cautionary tale.
Finglass also disclosed she has dealt with similar diagnoses before, including previous squamous cell carcinomas on her arm and calf. Despite that history, she said this latest discovery still came as a surprise.
“If you guys don’t take skin checks seriously, maybe I’m a good example of why you should because I never saw this,” she said.
From personal scare to public awareness
Rather than keeping the experience private, Finglass chose to highlight the importance of routine screenings, especially for people who assume they are healthy. In her caption, she stressed how crucial early detection can be.
“Early detection makes all the difference – and this is your reminder that skin health always comes first,” she wrote. “Thankful for thorough care, proactive screening, and having these conversations out loud. If you’ve been putting off a skin check, let this be your sign.”
The response from fans was immediate and emotional, with many sharing their own experiences and thanking her for speaking openly. Others said her story motivated them to schedule long-delayed dermatology appointments.
Skin cancer remains one of the most common cancers in the United States, with millions of cases diagnosed each year. While squamous cell carcinoma is usually highly treatable when caught early, untreated cases can become serious.
Finglass closed her message with a simple takeaway that resonated widely. “Prevention > everything,” she wrote, reinforcing that the appointment she almost treated as routine may have prevented a far more dangerous outcome.
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