Head coach Ron Rivera is aiming to maintain his focus on the Washington Football Team after revealing his skin cancer diagnosis this week.

Rivera, who was hired at Washington in January after leaving the Carolina Panthers, has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, although it is at an early stage and "very treatable and curable".

The coach is determined to lead Washington in the coming NFL season and believes the distraction could help him.

"It is very good [to focus on coaching], it really is," Rivera said. "That's one of the things that the doctors talked about: when I can work, focus.

"Focus on that because it'll detract from the other things that are going on. A lot of the time that helps get people get through situations and circumstances.

"My intent is to do everything that I'm supposed to do, follow the doctors very carefully and, again, the things that I can do, I will do."

Rivera is aware he may yet have to take some time to himself, though, adding: "For me, personally, it's another challenge. It's a challenge that I accept, I understand what it is.

"I'm realistic about it. I've got to continue to be the person that I am and be disciplined about it, go about my business, do things that I need to do, take care of those things.

"But more importantly, and one of the doctors said it very eloquently, is that: 'At some point, coach, you're going to have to be selfish. Take care of you.'

"So again, I'm realistic about this. I'm trying to be realistic about the approach."

The coach even suggested his potential absence could prove a "learnable moment" for Washington.

"Without a doubt," he said. "Because to me - let's say coach has to step back - are we going to wait for somebody else to step up or are we going to step up ourselves?

"So, I think this is all part of our growth, I really do. Again, it's going to be a learnable moment and we'll find out a lot more about ourselves."