WWE legend and actor John Cena is using his platform to raise awareness about skin cancer after his own “sobering” diagnosis.
In a recent interview, Cena opened up about the one habit he wishes he had adopted much earlier: daily sunscreen use.
John Cena’s cancer diagnosis changed his lifestyle and health focus
Earlier this year, John Cena revealed that two spots found on his skin were diagnosed as cancerous.
He had originally visited a dermatologist for a routine check-up, during which a small spot was removed from his right pec. Days later, he received a phone call from his doctor urging him to return.
That spot turned out to be cancerous.
“I was lucky to have a supportive dermatologist,” Cena told People. “They helped me through the entire process.”
A year later, he was back at the clinic—this time to remove a second spot near his right shoulder. That one was also confirmed as cancerous.
Hearing “you’ve got cancer” twice forced cena to take sun protection seriously
Cena described receiving the diagnosis twice as a wake-up call. It made him reevaluate his choices, especially his lack of skin protection over the years.
“I received the phone call twice, ‘Hey, you’ve got to come back, because the biopsy came back cancerous,’” he said. “That information is sobering, and it right there prompted me to change my life.”
Before the diagnosis, Cena admitted to neglecting sunscreen. As someone who spent years outdoors and under stadium lights, he hadn’t fully understood the risks.
Cena now wears sunscreen daily
After learning the hard way, Cena has made sunscreen a part of his everyday routine.
He’s now the face of Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70 campaign. The goal is to raise awareness—especially among men—about the importance of daily sun protection.
“SPF is more common in the vernacular of women, and that’s because it is directly correlated with beauty,” the actor said.
He believes SPF should be seen as a basic health practice, not just a beauty step. Comparing it to going to the gym, he said using sunscreen goes beyond appearance—it’s about making better health decisions.
He added: “If someone uses SPF, because they don’t 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.
“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.”
Daily sunscreen can prevent serious health issues.
Cena emphasized that using sunscreen is not difficult. In fact, it’s one of the easiest steps anyone can take to protect themselves.
“I’ve done complicated training and strict diets,” he said. “Wearing sunscreen is nothing compared to that. It’s like brushing your teeth.”
Now, Cena wants others—especially men—to understand that it doesn’t take a cancer diagnosis to start making smart health choices. His mission is to make daily SPF use more common and accepted among all age groups.
John Cena aims to prevent others from similar wake-up calls
Cena admitted his outlook on life has changed since hearing the word “cancer.” While he’s recovered, the emotional weight of the diagnosis stays with him. Now, he’s determined to use his visibility to advocate for change.
“My perspective on life has changed, but it took some real sobering news. I don’t want anybody to get there, so I’m just trying to use my platform to get ahead of that one.”
Through his advocacy, Cena is helping reframe SPF not as vanity, but as vital. His story is a powerful reminder: a few minutes of sunscreen each day can save a lifetime of regret.