Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director encourages skin checks after cancer diagnosis

Longtime Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders director Kelli Finglass has been diagnosed with skin cancer.

“My grandmother — Grandma Polly — has always told me not to talk about health with people,” a barefaced Finglass, 61, said in a recent Instagram video.

But Finglass felt compelled to share the results of a routine skin biopsy after a type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma was detected on her forehead.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the overgrowth of cells on the epidermis, the top layer of skin, and is typically not life-threatening. For most, it is caused by exposure to the sun, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, and can be treated through radiation therapy, medication or the surgical removal of cancerous skin tissue.

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If left untreated, squamous cell carcinoma may grow deeper into the skin, causing painful symptoms and metastasizing to other parts of the body.

This is not Finglass’ first experience with skin cancer. She has had a history of melanoma, she said in the video.

“If you don’t take skin checks seriously,” she said, “maybe I’m a good example of why you should.”

“I never saw this,” she added, gesturing to where skin cancer was detected on her forehead. “Thank goodness for doctors that can see this with their experience, their tools and technology.”

Finglass has led the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for over three decades. During that time, the dance squad’s national profile has risen through two reality TV shows: CMT’s Making the Team and Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts, which is expected to release its third season this year.

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