John Cena’s Wake-Up Call: A Champion’s Plea for Sunscreen Awareness
John Cena, the iconic wrestler and actor, known for his unwavering strength and seemingly invincible persona, recently shared a personal experience that served as a stark reminder of his own vulnerability. The 16-time WWE world champion revealed that he received not one, but two, diagnoses of skin cancer, a revelation that profoundly impacted his perspective on health and self-care.
Cena’s journey began during a routine visit to a dermatologist when a suspicious spot was discovered on his left pectoral muscle. The spot was promptly removed and sent for biopsy, the results of which confirmed the presence of cancerous cells. A year later, a second spot appeared on his left upper trapezius muscle, leading to another round of biopsies and the same unsettling verdict.
"I received the phone call twice, ‘Hey, you’ve got to come back, because the biopsy came back cancerous,’" Cena recounted. "That information is sobering, and it right there prompted me to change my life."
The experience served as a significant turning point for Cena, prompting him to reevaluate his approach to skincare and sun protection. He admitted to having "neglected" SPF (sun protection factor) in the past, a common oversight among many men. However, following his cancer scare, Cena made a conscious decision to integrate sunscreen application into his daily routine, viewing it as an act of "gratitude" for his health.
Now, Cena is championing the cause of sun safety as the face of Neutrogena’s new Ultra Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 campaign. He hopes to leverage his platform to raise awareness about the importance of sunscreen, particularly among men, who are often less likely to prioritize sun protection.
Cena acknowledged that discussions about skincare and beauty products are often more prevalent among women, making it challenging for men to initiate similar conversations. However, he believes that attitudes are changing, with men becoming increasingly aware of the importance of self-care.
"Men especially, are becoming more conscious of self-care… I just think we need to make it more commonplace," he asserted.
The statistics surrounding skin cancer and sunscreen use paint a concerning picture. While women are more than twice as likely as men to wear sunscreen, men face a greater risk of developing melanoma by age 50. Furthermore, men are more likely to die from melanoma than women, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that only 12.3% of men aged 18 years or older always used sunscreen when outside on a sunny day for more than 1 hour in 2020, compared to 29.0% of women. The lowest percentage of sunscreen use was among men aged 18-29 years (8.2%), with a slight increase to 13.7% among men aged 30-44.
A 2025 survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Neutrogena further highlighted the disparities in skincare practices between men and women. The survey found that nearly a third of respondents never visit a dermatologist or health professional for skin-related checkups, and women were more likely to be advised to wear SPF every day as opposed to men (27% vs. 18%).
Cena attributed this disparity to the association of SPF with beauty, a connection that is more readily embraced by women. "SPF is more common in the vernacular of women, and that’s because it is directly correlated with beauty," he explained.
Cena’s message comes at a time when several young celebrities have recently announced their battles with cancer, including James Van Der Beek, Jenna Fischer, Olivia Munn, Princess Kate, and Elle Macpherson. While the exact cause of the rise in cancers among young people remains unknown, researchers are actively investigating potential factors.
Despite the increasing incidence rate, there is a silver lining: people are less likely to die from cancer than in previous decades. This underscores the importance of early detection and treatment, as well as preventative measures like sunscreen use.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, regular use of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by about 40 percent, and lower melanoma risk by 50 percent.
Cena emphasized that the motivation behind sunscreen use is secondary to the act itself. Whether driven by concerns about wrinkles or health, the outcome is the same: protection from the harmful effects of the sun.
"If someone uses SPF, because they dont want to get wrinkles, it’s like someone going to the gym saying, ‘I want to be ripped.’ But being ‘ripped’ is essentially making healthier choices," he explained. "So you can go to the gym for aesthetic purposes, but the reward of training goes far more than just aesthetic beauty. I think SPF is in the same lane."
Cena acknowledged that making significant changes to one’s routine can be challenging, but he emphasized that incorporating sunscreen into daily life is remarkably simple. He compared it to brushing one’s teeth, a routine task that requires minimal effort but yields significant benefits for oral health.
His vision for the future is for men to adopt a similar approach to sunscreen, keeping a tube readily available next to their toothpaste and remembering to apply it daily.
"My perspective on life has changed, but it took some real sobering news," Cena concluded. "I don’t want anybody to get there, so I’m just trying to use my platform to get ahead of that one." By sharing his personal experience and advocating for sun safety, John Cena is using his influence to encourage others to prioritize their health and protect themselves from the dangers of skin cancer.
