Professional wrestling icon John Cena recently shared his battle with skin cancer, hoping his experience might save lives through increased awareness. At age 47, Cena revealed he received two separate skin cancer diagnoses after years of neglecting sun protection. Growing up in an era when sunscreen use remained uncommon, followed by his move to sunny Florida, Cena developed harmful habits that eventually caught up with him. 

His candid disclosure comes as part of a new campaign with Neutrogena promoting regular sunscreen use. By speaking openly about his medical journey, Cena aims to normalize sun protection practices, particularly among men who may view skincare as unnecessary or unmasculine.

When Cancer Finds Even The Strongest Among Us

During what seemed like a routine dermatology appointment, Cena received shocking news when his doctor discovered a cancerous spot on his right pectoral area. Despite his physical strength and seemingly perfect health, cancer found him anyway. Many people, especially those maintaining active lifestyles, assume serious health problems happen only to others.

Cena admits struggling with this exact mindset before his diagnosis. Growing up in the late 1970s and 1980s meant sun protection education arrived later in his life. Moving to Florida as an adult compounded his risk factors, exposing his unprotected skin to intense sunshine year-round. Describing himself as stubborn regarding skincare routines, Cena simply never prioritized protection from ultraviolet rays.

Fortunately, doctors detected both cancerous spots early enough for successful removal. Yet receiving a cancer diagnosis calls twice within a relatively short period forced Cena to confront his mortality and reconsider priorities. Medical professionals describe such moments as potential catalysts for positive lifestyle changes, which proved true in Cena’s case.

The Doctor Who Held His Hand Through Fear

Cancer diagnoses often trigger overwhelming emotions, especially regarding statistics and potential outcomes. Cena credits his dermatologist with helping him process complex feelings following his diagnosis. Having a medical professional provide personal reassurance alongside clinical care made a significant difference in his emotional recovery.

Rather than facing cancer alone, Cena established a collaborative relationship with his healthcare provider. His dermatologist not only removed cancerous tissue but also guided him through recovery, helping prevent his mind from spiraling toward worst-case scenarios. Medical research consistently shows that patients with strong doctor-patient relationships generally experience better outcomes and adherence to prevention protocols following treatment.

After the successful removal of his first cancerous spot, Cena needed additional treatment approximately one year later when doctors discovered another concerning area on his back. Finding multiple skin cancers significantly increases the risk for developing further skin cancers later, making ongoing vigilance crucial for survivors.

From Stubborn Guy to Sunscreen Advocate

Having experienced skin cancer twice, Cena dramatically changed his approach to sun protection. Before diagnosis, he viewed sunscreen application as unnecessary or inconvenient. Now he considers those extra minutes applying sunscreen an essential investment in his long-term health.

After reflecting on his journey, Cena expresses gratitude for early detection while acknowledging how easily circumstances might have worsened. His experience underscores why medical professionals strongly recommend annual skin checks regardless of perceived risk levels or absence of symptoms.

Beyond personal health implications, Cena recognized an opportunity to leverage his celebrity status for public health advocacy. Men respond positively to health messages from sports figures and entertainment personalities they admire. As someone known for physical strength and endurance, Cena brings credibility when discussing preventative healthcare measures.

Tough Guys Get Skin Cancer Too

Cena specifically hopes to reach male audiences who might dismiss skincare as a primarily feminine concern. Medical statistics consistently show men visit doctors less frequently than women and often delay seeking medical attention until symptoms become severe.

Cultural messaging often portrays rugged masculinity as incompatible with health consciousness. Growing up seeing other male role models ignoring sun protection reinforced unhealthy attitudes toward skincare for many men now facing middle age. Cena wants men to understand that skin protection represents physical maintenance rather than vanity.

Dermatologists report seeing significantly fewer male patients for preventative skin checks than women. Consequently, men frequently receive skin cancer diagnoses at more advanced stages. By sharing his story publicly, Cena wants men to understand that skin cancer affects people regardless of gender, age, or physical fitness level.

Know Your Enemy: Skin Cancer Varieties

Raising awareness requires a basic understanding of various forms of skin cancer. Medical experts typically categorize skin cancers as melanoma or non-melanoma, with distinct characteristics and treatment approaches for each type.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer. It typically develops in sun-exposed areas, though it can appear anywhere. While rarely spreading beyond the original location, untreated basal cell carcinomas cause significant damage to surrounding tissues. Most patients experience excellent outcomes following proper treatment.

Squamous cell carcinoma occurs less frequently but is slightly more likely to spread beyond the initial site. People with fair skin tones face the highest risk, though skin cancer affects individuals across all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma responds well to early treatment.

Though less common, melanoma poses the most significant concern due to its aggressive nature and potential for spreading throughout the body. Early detection dramatically improves survival rates, emphasizing the importance of regular skin checks. Knowing warning signs potentially saves lives, which motivates Cena’s advocacy work.

Spotting Trouble On Your Skin

Healthcare professionals recommend regular self-examinations using established assessment guidelines. Anyone noticing suspicious changes should seek prompt medical evaluation rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.

Medical experts developed a simple memory device called the ABCDE rule, helping people identify potentially cancerous skin changes:

A: Asymmetry indicates that one half of the spot appears different from the other half, suggesting irregular growth patterns.

B: Border irregularities create jagged or poorly defined edges rather than smooth, clear boundaries seen in typical moles.

C: Color variations within a single spot warrant attention, especially multiple shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue.

D: Diameter exceeding a pencil eraser’s size (approximately 6mm) signals a need for professional assessment, though some dangerous spots start smaller.

E: Evolving appearances, including changes to existing moles or development of new spots, require prompt medical evaluation regardless of other characteristics.

D: Detection methods work best when combined with regular professional skin examinations by qualified healthcare providers. Annual dermatologist visits allow experienced clinicians to identify subtle changes that may be missed during self-examinations.

Beyond Just Slathering on Sunscreen

While Cena primarily emphasizes sunscreen use, dermatologists recommend comprehensive prevention approaches addressing multiple risk factors. Protective clothing, particularly garments designed with ultraviolet protection factor ratings, also protects against harmful rays.

Wide-brimmed hats shield the face, ears, and neck areas where skin cancers frequently develop. Quality sunglasses protect the eyes and surrounding skin while preventing squinting and reducing the development of expression lines around the eyes, where skin remains particularly vulnerable to damage.

Timing outdoor activities outside peak sunlight hours reduces exposure intensity. UV radiation reaches maximum strength between 10 am and 4 pm in most locations, making morning or late afternoon ideal for outdoor exercise or recreation when possible.

Seeking shade whenever available significantly reduces UV exposure, particularly during midday hours. Even brief periods under trees, awnings, or other protective structures decrease the cumulative damage accumulating throughout a lifetime.

My Personal RX on Skin Cancer Prevention

Despite treating countless skin cancer patients throughout my career, seeing its impact on someone strong like John Cena provides a powerful reminder about universal vulnerability. Sun damage accumulates gradually throughout life, often becoming evident decades after exposure. Prevention truly matters more than treatment regarding skin cancer, since damage once done remains largely irreversible, though excellent treatment options exist.

1. Shield Those Little Ones: Children exposed to severe sunburns face substantially higher lifetime skin cancer risk. Parents should establish sun protection habits early, helping children understand the importance without creating fear. 
2. Snow Days Need Sunscreen Too: Many patients mistakenly believe sun protection only matters during summer months or beach vacations. UV radiation reaches the skin regardless of season or weather conditions. Winter sports participants often experience severe sunburns due to reflection off snow and reduced awareness about protection needs. 
3. Feed Your Skin From Within: MindBiotic supplements support skin health from the inside out, potentially complementing topical protection measures. Combining probiotics with adaptogens helps manage inflammation and promotes cellular repair mechanisms potentially compromised by UV exposure. 
4. Pills That Make Sunshine Worse: Several commonly prescribed medications increase photosensitivity, making skin more vulnerable to sun damage. Antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and many other pharmaceuticals potentially intensify UV effects. 
5. Sunshine Vitamin Without Sun Damage: Some patients, fearing vitamin D deficiency, avoid sun protection. Blood tests can identify deficiencies requiring supplementation rather than unprotected sun exposure. 
6. When Cancer Runs In Families: Genetic factors significantly influence skin cancer risk, making prevention especially important for those with family histories. Patients with first-degree relatives experiencing skin cancer should consider more frequent professional skin examinations. 
7. Eating Your Way To Healthier Skin: The Mindful Meals cookbook offers numerous recipes that support skin health through anti-inflammatory ingredients and antioxidant-rich foods. Dietary choices potentially support skin repair mechanisms while providing nutritional building blocks for healthy skin cell development. 
8. Forgotten Places Cancer Loves: Most patients focus sun protection efforts on the face and arms while neglecting other vulnerable areas. The scalp, ears, lips, back of the neck, and feet require protection yet frequently remain exposed. 
9. Sunscreen At Your Fingertips: Prevention only works when practiced consistently. Keep sunscreen readily available in your car, gym bag, office drawer, and multiple home locations. 

Sources: 

1. Kliniec, K., Tota, M., Zalesińska, A., Łyko, M., & Jankowska-Konsur, A. (2023). Skin Cancer Risk, Sun-Protection Knowledge and Behavior in Athletes—A Narrative Review. Cancers, 15(13), 3281. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15133281 
2. Sarkany, R. (2021). Sun protection. Medicine, 49(7), 453–456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2021.04.011 
3. Raymond-Lezman, J. R., & Riskin, S. (2023). Attitudes, behaviors, and risks of sun protection to prevent skin cancer amongst children, adolescents, and adults. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.34934 

Featured image: From @JohnCena on X