Legendary Cowboys Cheerleading Head, 61, Is a Walking Ad for Skin Cancer Screening — How To Get Yours

While urging others to understand that prevention is key when it comes to cancer, Finglass opened up about her skin cancer journey in a video shared on Instagram.

RELATED: The White Lotus’ Michelle Monaghan, 49, Prioritizes Sunscreen & Warns Against Tanning Bed Use After ‘Shock’ Melanoma Diagnosis

She captioned the post, “We went in for a routine skin check before cosmetic treatments… and this is exactly why skin checks matter.

“What we didn’t expect to find ended up being something that truly needed attention, a Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Early detection makes all the difference — and this is your reminder that skin health always comes first.”

Finglass added, “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.”

What You Need to Know About Squamous Cell Carcinoma 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Allison Singer, MD, FAAD (@allisonsingermd)

The footage begins with Finglass recalling how her grandmother Polly always advised her not to discuss her health with others and admitted that she felt “compelled” to go public with her story to help raise awareness.

Finglass, who doesn’t have a family history of melanoma, said, “So here we are, fresh off the press. I got some good news and some bad news.”

After explaining how she had five spots of her skin checked, she said a tiny spot on her left forehead was found to be squamous cell carcinoma.

“So I get to schedule a Mohs surgery. I call it scoop and stitch. They scoop out skin, they check your margins, and then they stitch you up like a football,” Finglass explained further, noting how she’s had three of the same time of cancer in the past, with one being on her forehead.

Finglass then explained grateful she was for her dermatologist, Dr. Allison Singer, MD, FAAD, for catching her skin cancer early.

She said, “I’m only sharing this with you guys because if you don’t take skin checks seriously, this may be a good example of why you should. Because, I never saw this. The ones that I have had that have been problematic are tiny. It looks like a little sharpie dot or something. It’s the least concerning.

“For all of us that are kind of our age and start getting, you know, things that we don’t like cosmetically, those have been not the problem. The ones that are problems are the ones that you can’t see because it’s in a place you don’t look at, between your toes… under your toenail.”

Finglass admitted that the most concerning aspects of this condition are often the ones that go unnoticed. She praised the doctors who, with their experience, tools, and technology, are able to detect these hidden issues.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kelli Finglass (@kellifinglass)

All About Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer that arises from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the squamous cells. These cells are located in the outer layers of the skin and also line various organs and tracts within the body. SCC is a prevalent form of skin cancer, ranking as the second most common type after basal cell carcinoma.

This cancer typically develops in areas of the body that receive frequent sun exposure, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and the backs of the hands. However, it can also appear in less exposed areas, including the inside of the mouth, the soles of the feet, and the genital region. It’s important to note that SCC can affect individuals regardless of their sun exposure habits.

What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer

While SCC is generally not life-threatening, it can be aggressive in certain cases. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious health complications.

Treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Following a diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), a range of treatment options are available. The choice of treatment depends on various factors, including the size and location of the cancer, whether it has spread, and your overall health. Here’s an overview of the current treatment guidelines for SCC:

1. Surgery: Surgery is often the primary treatment for SCC, especially for localized tumors. The type of surgery depends on the tumor’s size and location:

• Mohs Surgery: This is particularly indicated for SCCs located in areas where preserving cosmetic appearance and function is important, such as on the face. It’s also used for recurrent cancers or those with poorly defined edges. Mohs surgery allows for the removal of all cancerous cells while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible.
• Simple Excision: This is often the first-line treatment for small, well-defined SCCs in non-critical areas. It involves removing the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure all cancerous cells are excised.

2. Radiation Therapy:  This uses high-energy X-rays to target cancer cell DNA and is typically used in situations where surgery isn’t possible due to the tumor’s size or location or for patients who are not good candidates for surgery due to other health issues. It’s also used as an adjunct therapy after surgical removal of larger or more aggressive SCCs to ensure any remaining cancer cells are destroyed.

3. Topical Treatments: These are used for very early-stage SCCs or actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous skin lesions). They are most effective for superficial lesions that have not invaded deeper layers of the skin.

4. Systemic Therapy: In advanced SCC, treatments that affect the whole body may be necessary. This includes:

• Chemotherapy: This is generally reserved for advanced SCC that has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body and cannot be treated effectively with surgery or radiation.
• Targeted Therapy: These drugs are used for advanced SCC, particularly when the cancer has specific genetic mutations that can be targeted by these therapies.
• Immunotherapy: This is a newer form of treatment that’s showing promise for advanced or metastatic SCC, especially for tumors that are resistant to other forms of treatment. It works by boosting the body’s immune system to fight the cancer cells.

5. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): PDT is used for treating superficial or thin SCCs, especially in patients who have multiple lesions or who cannot undergo surgery.

6. Cryosurgery: This method is suitable for small, superficial SCCs, particularly in older patients or those with multiple lesions where more invasive surgery might not be ideal.

7. Clinical Trials: These are an option for patients with advanced SCC, especially when standard treatments have not been effective. Clinical trials offer access to new therapies that are still in the research phase.

Each of these treatments is chosen based on the individual patient’s situation, including the size, location, and aggressiveness of the SCC, as well as the patient’s overall health and preferences. It’s important to have a detailed discussion with your healthcare team to understand which treatment or combination of treatments is best suited for your specific case of SCC.

How to Protect Your Skin From Cancer

The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that more than 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year, making it the most common cancer in the U.S.

As the warmer weather months are nearing, it’s important to remember to protect your skin from skin cancer this summer.

Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon and associate at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, previously told SurvivorNet that protecting your skin is easy with these simple steps:

• Sun avoidance during peak hours: This means from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It doesn’t mean you should never go outside during the middle of the day, but make sure you’re protected when you go outdoors.
• Cover your skin and eyes: Wearing a wide brim hat or sunglasses will protect your face, the top of your head, your ears and the delicate skin around your eyes.
• Wear an SPF of 30 or higher: Plenty of facial moisturizers have SPF built into them. Dr. Engelman recommends reapplying every few hours, or after excessive sweating or swimming.
• Get an annual skin check: If you happen to notice anything out of the ordinary in between checks (like the signs outlined in this article), schedule an appointment to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
• No-go to tanning beds: Tanning beds can significantly increase your risk of developing melanoma. If you feel like you’re just too pale, Dr. Engelman recommends a sunless tanner.

Leading Experts Urge Patients to Be Proactive

As we highlight in several areas of SurvivorNet, highly respected doctors sometimes disagree on the right course of treatment for an ailment, and advances in medicine are always creating new options. Also, in some instances the specific course of treatment is not clear cut.

That’s even more reason why understanding the potential approaches to your disease is crucial.

Cancer Research Legend Urges Patients to Get Multiple Opinions

Furthermore, getting another opinion may also help you avoid doctor biases. For example, when seeking care for cancer, some surgeons may have an affiliation with a radiation center.

“So there may be a conflict of interest if you present to a surgeon that is recommending radiation because there is some ownership of that type of facility,” Dr. Jim Hu, director of robotic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet.

Other reasons to get a second opinion include:

• To see a doctor who has more experience treating your type of disease
• You have a rare disease
• There are several ways to treat your illness
• You feel like your doctor isn’t listening to you, or isn’t giving you good advice
• You have trouble understanding your doctor
• You don’t like the treatment your doctor is recommending, or you’re worried about its possible side effects
• Your insurance company wants you to get another medical opinion

Bottom line, being proactive about your health could be a matter of life or death. Learn as much as you can from as many experts as you can, so that you know that you did your best to take control of your health.

Handling Fear When You Get the Diagnosis

Cancer is said to be one of the most challenging experiences for a human to go through. It would be very out of the ordinary if you weren’t scared. Anxiety and fear are totally normal reactions to the news that you have breast cancer. Acknowledging these emotions can be therapeutic and important to the healing process.

So how do you confront your fears without letting them take over entirely?

1. Let your family and close friends know and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
2. Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your different thoughts throughout the day.
3. Join a cancer support group. There are groups in nearly every community offering opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn incredibly helpful insight from others who can tell you about what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
4. Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief. Above all, just know that there are countless resources and support here for you to turn to at any time.

Feel the Fear, and Let it Go — Meditation for Cancer Survivors

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

---