Day John Cena Opened Up About Cancer Battle from His Early Wrestling Days

• John Cena previously disclosed he had a cancerous spot removed from his body, highlighting a personal battle with skin cancer
• The WWE icon shared his story to raise awareness about the importance of sun protection based on his experiences
• He urged fans to take sunscreen seriously as part of a health campaign that hoped to capitalise on his global fame

WWE legend and Hollywood star John Cena once disclosed that he was diagnosed with skin cancer twice, prompting a major shift in his outlook on skincare and sun protection.

The 17-time world champion is now using his platform to raise awareness about the dangers of sun exposure and the importance of wearing sunscreen—something he admits he neglected for years.

A painful lesson from the past

In an interview with People magazine in 2025, Cena shared his personal journey with skin cancer, admitting that he “never” used sunscreen growing up.

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Raised near Salisbury Beach in Massachusetts, Cena recalls sun-soaked childhood memories where skincare was never a priority.

“My mom raised five boys, and I’m pretty sure she just wanted to keep us alive and healthy,” he said. “Being born in 1977, this was kind of all new knowledge.”

Even after moving to Florida in his twenties, Cena said he remained “stubborn” about skincare, wrongly believing that skin cancer “would never reach me.”

That mindset changed when he visited a dermatologist and had a cancerous spot removed from his right pectoral muscle.

A second scare and a change in mindset

Not long after the first procedure, Cena received a call that many dread—a follow-up request for another check. A year later, he had a second cancerous spot removed, this time from near his right shoulder.

“Man, that phone call’s not what you want to get,” Cena recalled. “You don’t know how bad it’s going to be.” The experience, while frightening, also proved transformative. His dermatologist supported him throughout, and Cena now reflects on the ordeal with gratitude: “I’m so grateful to be able to dodge those two bullets.”

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From neglect to advocacy

Having turned a personal health scare into a mission, Cena has partnered with Neutrogena to promote their Ultra Sheer Mineral Sunscreen. The campaign, titled “Sunscreen You Can’t See,” plays off his famous WWE catchphrase “You Can’t See Me,” and encourages fans to take skin protection seriously.

“Never once did I picture myself as the go-to person for a skincare campaign,” he admitted. “But just because I love what I do and I’ve had the backing of such a dedicated audience, a very unlikely spokesperson is now trying to make a difference.”

Cena, now 49, says he’s gone from “neglect” to “mass protect,” and hopes to inspire others to take that “extra few seconds” to safeguard their skin daily.

John Cena rocks Oscars Stage uncovered

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Cena gave viewers a show when he presented an award at the Oscars completely uncovered, covered in nothing but the announcement card.

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Th WWE star Cena can be seen side-walking onto the stage, covering his front with a "Congratulations" announcement card. Well, at least he remembered his watch and Birkenstocks, right?

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh