John Cena shares his past skin cancer diagnosis; Here’s why sunscreen should be your daily companion

John Cena is making sure nobody goes out in the sun sans the sunscreen!The 16-time WWE world champion, who revealed that he has been diagnosed with skin cancer twice, is now raising awareness to wear sunscreen in order to avoid such conditions.The WWE star recently sat down for an interview where he revealed that he was diagnosed with skin cancer twice in the past. The actor told People he grew up in Massachusetts in the 1970s and ‘80s and “never” wore sunscreen.”Though Cena later moved to Florida, where he “fell in love with the sun,” he still “neglected” to protect his skin.The American actor, who starred in ‘F9’, revealed, “I was stubborn. I didn’t want to have a routine, and I also thought the problem would never reach me. And it’s one of those things where I had a ton of exposure with minimal protection and it caught up with me.”However, the consequence wasn’t pretty.A routine check-up in a dermatologist’s office forced Cena to rethink his lax attitude about sunscreen.He told People, “It wasn’t until I went to a dermatologist and got a skin checkup and had a cancerous spot removed from my right pec.” The WWE star counts his blessings and considers himself “very lucky” to have a good dermatologist who helped him process his fear around the diagnosis.However, Cena recalls, “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.”Though the first cancerous spot on Cena’s chest was removed, there would be another in his future.Cena added, “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,” adding, “If you watch WWE, you’ll be able to see them.”Being diagnosed with skin cancer came as a shock to Cena, who said his “mind always goes to the worst-case scenario.”However, luckily for Cena, the diagnoses also showed him how important it was to protect his skin from the sun’s rays. As per the WWE star, his attitude about sunscreen quickly went from “neglect” to “mass protect.”Reflecting on his decision to endorse a brand that promotes sunscreen, Cena said, “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’.”He added, applying sunscreen before going outside should become a regular daily habit, like brushing your teeth, saying, “If you’re out there and you brush your teeth, at a young age, you learned that going to the dentist when your teeth are in bad shape is bad because it’s painful. The same thing will happen if you don’t take care of your skin, and it’s actually easier than brushing your teeth. Because it’s not something you should exercise to just make you look more beautiful. It’s something you should exercise to allow you to be who you are for a longer period of time.” Although even without Cena’s insistence, one must make sunscreen their daily companion.Here’s why:Protection Against Skin Cancer:UV rays are a major risk factor for skin cancer: Unprotected exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays is a leading cause of skin cancer. Sunscreen significantly reduces the risk: Regular sunscreen use can lower the risk of developing melanoma and other types of skin cancer. A 2020 review suggested sunscreen decreased the risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.Prevention of Premature Aging:UV exposure accelerates the aging process: Prolonged sun exposure can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Sunscreen helps maintain youthful skin: By blocking UV rays, sunscreen can help prevent or delay the signs of premature aging. Sunscreen is an essential partner to your skincare. Prevention of Sunburn and Hyperpigmentation:Sunburn is a sign of skin damage: Sunburns, while painful and temporary, can signal long-term damage to the skin. Sunscreen helps prevent sunburn: By forming a protective barrier on the skin's surface, sunscreen blocks the harmful UV rays that cause sunburn. Sunscreen helps prevent hyperpigmentation: UV exposure can lead to dark spots and uneven skin tone, which sunscreen can help prevent. Sun Protection is Essential Year-Round:UV rays penetrate clouds: Even on cloudy days, UV rays can reach your skin, so sunscreen is still necessary. UV rays can damage skin even indoors: UV rays can penetrate windows, so sunscreen is important even when you're indoors. It's never too late to start protecting your skin: If you haven't used sunscreen regularly in the past, it's never too late to start. Choosing the Right Sunscreen:Look for broad-spectrum protection: Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Choose an SPF of 30 or higher: An SPF of 30 or higher provides good protection against the sun's rays. Reapply sunscreen regularly: Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating.With the increasing global temperatures, ensure that you protect your body by applying sunscreen in advised amounts when stepping outside your homes.