- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star John Cena revealed he’s been diagnosed with skin cancer twice.
- The 48-year-old wrestler is now the face of a new campaign urging people to wear sunscreen.
- Most forms of skin cancer can be treated, however, some types can be life threatening if not caught early.
- Wearing sunscreen daily, seeking shade, and checking your skin regularly can help lower your skin cancer risk.
John Cena’s skin cancer diagnosis is a reminder that anyone can be affected — and that prevention is simple. In May 2025, the 48-year-old actor and wrestler told USA Today he’d been diagnosed with skin cancer twice and that he hadn’t always made sunscreen part of his daily routine. The first suspicious spot was discovered on his chest during a routine check with his dermatologist. A year later, a second cancerous spot was discovered on his back. After each biopsy came back cancerous, Cena said the phone call was sobering and prompted him to change his life and daily care routine.
Since his diagnoses, Cena — a 17-time WWE world champion — has integrated sunscreen into his routine and is now the face of a Neutrogena campaign encouraging people to wear sunscreen and take skin health seriously.
“I received the phone call twice, ‘Hey, you’ve got to come back, because the biopsy came back cancerous,’” Cena told USA Today. “That information is sobering, and it right there prompted me to change my life.”
Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Cena says he hopes more people — especially men — will add sunscreen to their daily care routine to lower their risk.
As the face of the new campaign, Cena is urging people to prioritize protection: wearing sunscreen, checking spots regularly, and seeing a dermatologist if anything looks suspicious.
“Skin care is a more palatable and accepted term and subject matter amongst women,” he told USA Today. “Men, especially, are becoming more conscious of self-care… I just think we need to make it more commonplace.”
Raising skin cancer awareness
Jeff Yorio, MD, clinical researcher and oncologist at Texas Oncology in Austin, says high-profile stories like John Cena’s can shift how people think about sun safety and prompt more people to check their skin.
Double board-certified dermatologist Saami Khalifian, MD, says he typically sees an uptick in patients booking appointments about suspicious moles and spots after celebrities speak out — a reminder that skin checks matter for all ages and skin types.
Khalifian emphasizes that Cena’s experience shows how quickly a routine check can lead to a diagnosis: a spot discovered during a visit can turn out to be cancerous, and prompt follow-up calls and action. If you notice a new or changing spot, he recommends seeing a dermatologist — annual skin exams are a common starting point, and more frequent checks may be advised for higher-risk people.
Sunscreen and skin cancer prevention
Understanding how skin cancer develops helps you reduce your risk. Experts say sunscreen is a practical, everyday form of protection that lowers exposure to ultraviolet radiation — one of the main causes of DNA damage in skin cells.
Dr. Saami Khalifian stresses that sunscreen should be the first line of defense. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and, when appropriate, water-resistant formulas for extended outdoor time.
Sunscreen works by blocking or absorbing UVA and UVB rays. Note: UVA penetrates glass and contributes to long-term skin aging and cancer risk, while UVB is the main driver of sunburn; both can contribute to skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
- basal cell carcinoma
- squamous cell carcinoma
- melanoma
A common misconception is that sunscreen is only necessary on hot, sunny days. In reality, wearing sunscreen daily — even on cloudy days or when indoors near windows — provides protection because UVA rays can pass through glass.
Practical application tips: apply sunscreen generously — about a shot-glass (roughly 30 mL) for the body and a nickel- to quarter-sized amount for the face — and reapply every two hours or sooner if you’re swimming or sweating. Combine sunscreen with other sun-smart habits like seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, hats and sunglasses.
Making sunscreen a daily habit can lower long-term risk of skin cancer and help protect your skin’s health. Whether you’re a man or a woman, young or older, integrating sunscreen into your routine is a simple step with big potential benefits.
Types of skin cancer
Not all skin cancers behave the same way. Knowing the common types can help you spot suspicious changes earlier and get timely care.
“Skin cancer is often categorized as melanoma or non-melanoma,” Yorio explained. Each category has different risk profiles, appearance and typical locations on the skin.
“Melanoma is less common than non-melanoma skin cancer but tends to be more aggressive with a higher risk of metastasizing (spreading) to other parts of the body,” Yorio said. If not caught early, melanoma can be life threatening.
The most common non-melanoma skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. “This type rarely spreads to distant sites but can be locally destructive and disfiguring if left untreated,” Yorio explained.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common non-melanoma type and is more likely than basal cell to spread to nearby lymph nodes, though metastasis remains uncommon.
Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers most often develop on sun-exposed areas — face, neck, ears, hands and arms — but they can appear anywhere on the skin.
Early detection matters. “With any form of skin cancer, catching it early makes treatment simpler and outcomes better,” Khalifian said. He recommends checking your skin regularly and talking to a dermatologist if you notice a changing spot — even if it doesn’t look like a classic melanoma.
Who’s at higher risk? People with fair skin, a history of sunburns or indoor tanning, many moles, a family history of skin cancer, or older age should be especially vigilant. If you have risk factors, discuss a screening schedule with your dermatologist.
How is skin cancer treated?
Treatment depends on the type of skin cancer and how early it’s found. When detected promptly, most skin cancers can be treated effectively with local procedures that remove the cancerous tissue.
“For most cases, surgical excision is the first treatment,” Khalifian explained. In plain terms, the surgeon removes the spot along with a small margin of healthy skin to lower the chance of recurrence.
For cancers in sensitive or highly visible areas — for example, the face — Mohs micrographic surgery is often preferred because it removes cancer while conserving as much healthy tissue as possible. If a cancer has spread beyond the skin, more advanced options such as radiation therapy or immunotherapy may be necessary — these are typically used for advanced melanoma or cases with spread to other sites.
Recovery and follow-up vary by procedure: minor excisions may require simple wound care and short-term follow-up, while Mohs surgery may need reconstructive steps or specialist referrals. Your care team will recommend surveillance visits to check for recurrence or new spots. Overall prognosis is best when cancers are found and treated early. Combining protection (daily sunscreen and sun-smart habits) with routine skin checks gives the best chance to avoid serious outcomes.
Skin cancer prevention tips
Most skin cancers are preventable. John Cena’s experience underscores the importance of simple daily habits — wearing sunscreen, checking your skin, and reducing unnecessary sun exposure — to lower long-term risk. When choosing sunscreen, look for a broad-spectrum formula with at least SPF 30. If you’ll be active outdoors or swimming, pick a water-resistant option and follow the product’s reapplication guidance.
Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin — about a nickel- to quarter-sized amount for the face and roughly a shot-glass (about 30 mL) for the body. Reapply every two hours, or sooner if you’ve been swimming or sweating heavily. Combine sunscreen with other sun-smart measures for better protection: seek shade during peak sun hours, wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses, and pay attention to the UV index when planning outdoor time.
Checking your skin regularly helps detect problems early. Use the ABCDEs to look for suspicious spots:
- Asymmetry — one half doesn’t match the other
- Borders — irregular or notched edges
- Color — uneven or multiple colors
- Diameter — larger than about 6 mm (about a pencil eraser)
- Evolving — new or changing in size, shape or color
If you notice any of these signs — or a spot that looks or feels different from your other spots — visit a doctor or dermatologist promptly. For adults, annual skin exams are a common baseline; people with higher risk (older age, many moles, history of tanning bed use, or family history) may need more frequent checks. Taking these steps can reduce your lifetime risk and help catch melanoma or other skin cancers early, when they are most treatable.
