John Cena Opens Up About Skin Cancer Diagnosis As Part Of Sunscreen Partnership

The 16-time world champion shared with PEOPLE that years of sun exposure caught up with him. Growing up in Massachusetts, Cena recalls spending summers on the North Shore beaches without sunscreen. That habit continued into adulthood when he moved to Florida, where he admitted to neglecting skin protection.

“It wasn't until I went to a dermatologist and got a skin checkup and had a cancerous spot removed from my right pec,” Cena revealed. A follow-up call confirmed the seriousness of the issue, and a year later, another cancerous spot was removed from his right shoulder. Cena said he learned a valuable lesson, making him realize the importance of sun care.

Cena Trying to Raise Skin Cancer Awareness

Now, Cena is committed to raising awareness about skin protection. Cena and Neutrogena have decided to use his popular "You Can't See Me" slogan from his runs in WWE to send a message that being ‘invisible,’ isn't always a good thing. His past scare and his catchphrase made him the perfect ambassador for an invisible sunscreen. He noted it wasn't until halfway through the campaign that he started to share his personal connection to the cause, giving the partnership even deeper meaning.

“I’m very fortunate to hopefully be a mouthpiece to get people to use sunscreen,” Cena said. He also emphasized how easy sun care can be, likening it to brushing your teeth: “It’s something you should exercise to allow you to be who you are for a longer period of time.”

Cena, who is gradually stepping away from wrestling, is in his final run with the WWE. He recently turned heel, putting the fans on blast for years of what he called a toxic relationship. He's embracing this new role, just as he is as an advocate for sun safety. The two are very different, but, like his surprising heel turn to end his in-ring career, he never expected to be the face of a skincare campaign.