When was John Cena diagnosed with cancer? Actor opens up about past diagnosis as he teams with Neutrogena

Legendary WWE superstar and worldwide phenom John Cena just disclosed that he was diagnosed with skin cancer in the recent past. The scoop came as he collaborated with Neutrogena on their newest sun care awareness campaign, “Sunscreen You Can’t See.”

Cena’s admission underscores the need to protect skin from the dangers of sun exposure, particularly for people who spend long hours in the sunlight without proper protection.

John Cena’s cancer diagnosis

In the interview with PEOPLE, Cena reveals that he had skin cancer, which he developed from being in the sun too much, specifically when he was young.

“I was stubborn. I didn't want to have a routine and I also thought the problem would never reach me. And it's one of those things where I had a ton of exposure with minimal protection and it caught up with me.”

The actor, who relocated to Florida in his 20s, confessed that he had often skipped sunscreen, and in time, cancerous spots grew on his chest. The spots needed to be removed, but his timeline of when he was diagnosed is not clear.

“It wasn't until I went to a dermatologist and got a skin checkup and had a cancerous spot removed from my right pec.”

John Cena's storied career in professional wrestling with WWE and then in Hollywood meant he was always at the top of his game, but he's still just a man.

But his fight against skin cancer is a testament to the fact that no matter how tough someone is, health risks are there for the taking if preventative measures are not taken. His own experience with the disease is now motivating him to advocate for improved sun care practices among his fans and the general public.

John Cena teams up with Neutrogena

Having had a previous diagnosis, John Cena has teamed up with Neutrogena to help raise awareness about skin health and wearing sunscreen. The new campaign seeks to educate the public on the dangers associated with exposure to the sun and to promote the use of sun protection, even when one does not visibly see the impact of the sun on their skin.

“Neutrogena came to me because they developed this Ultra Sheer sunscreen that goes on easily and is invisible and they wanted somebody who the world knows as invisible.”

Cena wants to use this partnership to shine a light on the importance of everyday sun protection, especially for people who live in warmer climates or are outside a lot. His participation in the campaign is a testament to the long-term impacts of ignoring sun safety.

“They were like, ‘Hey, would you mind leaning into the “You Can't See Me” joke?’ And I'm like, ‘Would I?!’ I'm already doing it anyway and the world kind of understands it. I'm in Budapest, and I walk the streets here and people put their hands in front of their face. So it's something that has global reach. And I really appreciate Neutrogena wanting to lean into it. The spots are very funny, and if you can make people laugh and send a message at the same time, that's great.”

The importance of sun protection

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer all over the world, usually caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Notwithstanding the recognition of the disadvantages of exposure to Ultraviolet rays, many people ignore it.

Cena passed on his important remarks and cited just how large an error it is not to apply sunscreen. Cena advocates for protection from sunlight by using sunscreen, wearing solid clothing, and seeking shade when required.

Medical experts recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and reapplying about every two hours.

Another suggestion by the doctors is to avoid exposing oneself directly to the sun between 10 am and 4 pm. There is also a recommendation to wear sunglasses and hats.

Final thoughts

John Cena, with his inspirational words, is making people aware of the harmful aspects of the sun's rays. The wrestler claims you must protect yourself by entering the sun with proper protection.

“I'm at a great space in my life where that's now important to me. And I'm so grateful to be able to dodge those two bullets, but I wear them as a reminder of, ‘Hey man, you need to take the extra few seconds to protect yourself every day.’"

His mission to educate people about the risks of sun exposure and promote better habits of maintaining good skin is great. His revelation of skin cancer is heart-wrenching, but it also acts as inspiration. By sharing his story, John Cena has set an example, one of the need to increase awareness and how prevention is always better than a cure.

John Cena's fans support him in this new work and hope to live to see the day Cena will undoubtedly change the world to a better place for us to live. He has a large platform, and John Cena is using it efficiently to provide a meaningful impact.