This is an archive article published on April 30, 2025

John Cena opens up about wearing sunscreen after skin cancer scares: ‘So grateful to be able to dodge those two bullets’

"Hey man, you need to take the extra few seconds to protect yourself every day," the WWE star said

John Cena shares more about skin cancer diagnosis (Photo: AP)

4 min readNew DelhiApr 30, 2025 09:30 PM IST First published on: Apr 30, 2025 at 09:30 PM IST

Following his skin cancer diagnosis, John Cena has emphasised wearing sunscreen. In an interview with People, the wrestler-turned-actor opened up about how he never used sunscreen until the health scare when his dermatologist found a cancerous spot on his skin during a routine checkup.

“It wasn’t until I went to a dermatologist and got a skin checkup and had a cancerous spot removed from my right pec,” said Cena, adding that he was “very lucky”. “To have a great dermatologist who kind of, I guess for lack of a better term, held me by the hand and let me know that I wasn’t alone. The stats on this are overwhelming, but as much as I learn about them, those numbers don’t mean anything.”

“I think the best way to hammer home a point is human-to-human connection. 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. A year later, I went back and had another spot removed close to my right shoulder. It shows up like a white polka dot on the side of my chest and on my shoulder. If you watch WWE, you’ll be able to see them,” the WWE star shared.

He also said that he now uses sunscreen regularly. “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’.”

Taking a cue from his admission, let’s understand why sunscreen is necessary.

Do you wear sunscreen? (Photo: Freepik)

Sunscreen isn’t just about avoiding sunburn; it also helps to protect the skin and prevent skin cancer.

“Many people avoid using sunscreen as they are unaware of its advantages. However, it is the need of the hour to use a good, expert-recommended sunscreen,” said Dr Shareefa Chause, dermatologist, Dr Shareefa Skin Care Clinic, Mumbai.

“Using sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days, is one of the simplest ways to care for your skin health. It’s not about vanity; it’s about staying healthy, safe, and strong for the long haul. Moreover, it is not only for women, but even men should use it without fail daily as per the expert’s advice,” said Dr Chause.

Also Read | Getting tanned despite applying sunscreen? Dermatologist shares common mistakes

According to Dr Chause, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun is one of the leading causes of skin cancer. “Repeated sun exposure for long periods can lead to DNA damage, raising the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. Sunscreen acts as a protective barrier, safeguarding the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. So, using dermat-approved sunscreen daily helps to reduce the chances of skin cancer and improve skin health. So, don’t neglect sunscreen and make it a part of your daily routine,” said Dr Chause.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.