WWE icon John Cena has shared insights into what aided him during his past skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The 47-year-old, who is gearing up for a headline match against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, discussed his previous skin cancer diagnosis and treatment in a new Neutrogena campaign promoting sunscreen use.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Cena admitted that growing up, sunscreen was not part of his routine. Born in 1977, he explained that skin protection was not as widely understood then.
After moving to Florida, Cena acknowledged that he neglected skin care, often spending time in the sun without sunscreen. He described his resistance to adopting a skincare routine and believed he was immune to sun damage.
“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,” he stated.
A dermatologist visit unveiled a cancerous spot on his right pectoral area.
Fortunately, the spot was removed, and Cena credits his supportive dermatologist for guiding him and alleviating the anxiety associated with the disease’s statistics.
While he became aware of the statistics, Cena emphasized the importance of human connection in conveying impactful messages.
He is now advocating for others to get checked if they notice anything unusual and to prioritize sun protection.
“And I as a human can tell you: 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 remarked.
About a year later, Cena had another spot removed and admitted that it can be challenging to avoid thinking about worst-case scenarios.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyzz4tgLJXE
Thanks to his dermatologist’s guidance and a commitment to sun protection, Cena is now in a much better state.
He reflected: “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.”
Recently, Cena has been on a European and UK tour with WWE, preparing for his final WrestleMania showdown against current champion Cody Rhodes.
In a surprising turn, Cena has assumed a “heel” role (a wrestling term for a villain), creating waves in the wrestling world as he strives for a historic 17th title before retiring later this year.
After retiring from the ring, Cena will stay with WWE as an ambassador and focus on his acting career.
For confidential support regarding these issues, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or use their live chat feature, available 24/7 year-round.