John Cena Breaks Silence on Skin Cancer Battle and Sun Safety

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — John Cena revealed last week that he successfully overcame skin cancer, having undergone procedures to remove two cancerous spots from his shoulder and pec. The 47-year-old WWE star and actor shared his experience with the hopes of raising awareness about skin cancer prevention.

Cena described the unsettling moment he received the diagnosis, stating, “Man, that phone call’s not what you want to get because it is unpredictable and you don’t know how bad it’s going to be.” He acknowledged his previous negligence regarding sun protection, admitting he was “stubborn” about using sunscreen.

“I never wore sunscreen growing up, and that followed me into adulthood… I had a ton of exposure with minimal protection, and it caught up with me,” Cena explained. His wake-up call came during a routine dermatology visit, which emphasized the importance of skin health.

In partnership with Neutrogena for their Ultra Sheer sunscreen campaign, Cena aims to encourage others, especially men, to prioritize skincare. He noted, “I’m at a great space in my life where that’s now important to me. I’m so grateful to dodge those two bullets, and I wear them as a reminder of needing to take time to protect myself every day.”

Dr. Victor Quan, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine, discussed common misconceptions among men about healthcare, stating, “Men tend to think less about regular preventive care because there’s not a lot of guideline-based preventive care for men compared to women.” He highlighted that women often schedule skin exams during visits for other health issues, while men typically wait for visible problems to arise.

“In general, I see more women making appointments for regular preventive visits,” Quan noted. He added that men sometimes come in with more advanced skin cancer cases because they ignore concerning spots. “Men sometimes do come in with skin cancers that are larger or more progressed,” he said.

November statistics show that men are more likely to develop skin cancer in exposed areas such as the scalp and neck, where protection is often neglected. Dermatologists recommend broad protective measures, including using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, wearing hats, and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours.

Dr. Jennifer Nathan, a skin cancer surgeon, said it is essential to adopt sun protection habits. “I recommend my patients practice good sun protective behaviors, including seeking shade, wearing sunglasses, and using sunscreen on any exposed skin,” she stated. Nathan further advised finding a sunscreen that feels comfortable, as the best product is one that will be used consistently.

Cena noted that one reason he favors Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer line is that it provides high SPF protection without leaving an unattractive white cast on the skin, a common issue with some sunblock products. He emphasized the importance of daily sunscreen use for long-term skin health.

Dr. Quan highlighted the necessity of awareness regarding UV exposure and skin cancer risk, reiterating, “Sun exposure is the biggest modifiable risk factor for skin cancer. Every little bit counts; it compounds just like investments do.”