5 Shocking Health Lessons John Cena Learned After Battling Skin Cancer TWICE (Latest 2025 Update)

The news sent shockwaves across the wrestling and Hollywood worlds: WWE legend and actor John Cena, a man often seen as the epitome of strength and invincibility, announced a very personal and sobering health battle. In a significant update released in early 2025, Cena revealed that he has successfully overcome skin cancer not just once, but twice, a diagnosis he attributes directly to his past neglect of sun protection and sunscreen use. This revelation has turned the superstar into an unexpected and passionate advocate for skin health, especially for men.

The announcement, which came on March 31, 2025, serves as a critical wake-up call for millions of fans, highlighting that even the toughest athletes are susceptible to one of the most common forms of cancer. Cena’s experience, involving the removal of cancerous spots from his chest and shoulder, has since become the focal point of a major sun care campaign, transforming his health scare into a powerful public service message.

John Cena: Profile and Biography

John Felix Anthony Cena is an American actor, retired professional wrestler, and former rapper who is widely considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. His career spans over two decades with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he was the company's franchise player for many years before successfully transitioning into a prolific film career.

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• Full Name: John Felix Anthony Cena
• Born: April 23, 1977
• Birthplace: West Newbury, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Spouses: Elizabeth Huberdeau (m. 2009; div. 2012), Shay Shariatzadeh (m. 2020)
• Profession: Actor, Retired Professional Wrestler, Producer, Rapper
• WWE Highlights: 16-time World Champion (record-tying), 5-time U.S. Champion, 4-time World Tag Team Champion, Grand Slam Champion.
• Notable Films: The Marine, Trainwreck, Bumblebee, F9, The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker.

The Shocking Diagnosis: How Neglect Led to Skin Cancer

Cena’s openness about his diagnosis has provided crucial details about the insidious nature of skin cancer. He revealed that his past life, which included extensive time outdoors and under harsh arena lights, was spent without adequate protection. This neglect of basic sun care, specifically skipping sunscreen, eventually resulted in a "sobering" diagnosis.

The Twice-Diagnosed Reality

The actor was diagnosed with skin cancer twice, an alarming statistic that underscores the seriousness of his condition. The cancerous spots were found and removed from both his chest and shoulder during routine dermatological check-ups.

• Type of Cancer: While sources suggest the removal of cancerous spots, one report specifically identifies the diagnosis as Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC).
• Location of Spots: The cancerous lesions were removed from his chest and shoulder, areas frequently exposed to the sun during his wrestling career.
• Root Cause: Cena explicitly stated that his diagnoses were a direct result of "past neglect of sunscreen and skin care."

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a common form of non-melanoma skin cancer that begins in the flat, thin cells that make up the outer layer of the skin. While often treatable, it can become aggressive if not caught early, especially compared to its less aggressive counterpart, Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC).

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5 Critical Lessons from John Cena’s Skin Cancer Battle

John Cena has leveraged his immense platform to turn his personal health scare into a global message of prevention. His experience has boiled down to five essential, life-saving lessons that everyone should heed, especially men who often overlook sun protection.

1. Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable (Even for the Toughest)

Cena’s most powerful lesson is the importance of daily sunscreen use. He admitted that, like many men, he viewed sun protection as unnecessary or too time-consuming. His new partnership with Neutrogena, specifically for their Ultra Sheer line, is part of a campaign called "Sunscreen You Can't See." This campaign cleverly plays on his famous "You Can't See Me" catchphrase, emphasizing that modern SPF products can be effective without being visible or greasy.

2. Routine Check-Ups are Life-Saving

Cena’s cancer was diagnosed during a routine dermatological check-up, not because he noticed a suspicious mole first. This highlights the critical importance of annual skin screenings by a professional. A dermatologist can spot subtle changes and abnormalities that a person might miss, especially in hard-to-see areas like the back or scalp.

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3. Skin Cancer is a Serious Men’s Health Issue

The WWE star wants his story to be a "wake-up call for men." Statistics show that more than half of new melanoma diagnoses, the deadliest form of skin cancer, are in men. Men are also less likely to wear sunscreen or seek regular skin checks, often leading to later-stage diagnoses. Cena is actively challenging the outdated notion that sun care is not a masculine concern.

4. Know Your ABCDEs

Being proactive means performing monthly self-exams and knowing the warning signs of melanoma, often summarized by the ABCDE rule:

• Asymmetry (one half unlike the other)
• Border irregularity (ragged, notched, or blurred edges)
• Color variation (shades of tan, brown, black, white, red, or blue)
• Diameter (larger than a pencil eraser, or 6mm)
• Evolving (a mole that changes in size, shape, or color)

5. Sun Protection Goes Beyond Lotion

While sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) is vital, Cena’s advocacy extends to comprehensive sun safety. This includes seeking shade during peak sun hours (10 AM to 4 PM), wearing sun-protective clothing (like wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves), and avoiding artificial UV exposure from tanning beds, which dramatically increase skin cancer risk.

The Future: A New Champion for Sun Safety

As of late 2025, John Cena is cancer-free and remains a prominent figure in both film and sun care advocacy. His partnership with Kenvue-owned Neutrogena is not just a celebrity endorsement; it’s a mission-driven campaign to change public perception about sun safety. By sharing his vulnerability, Cena has demonstrated that true strength lies not in being invincible, but in taking proactive steps to protect one’s health. His message is clear: You may not be able to see him, but you should definitely see your dermatologist and wear your SPF every single day.