Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0
Wrestling legend and actor John Cena recently opened up about a deeply personal health scare: he was diagnosed with skin cancer&mdash;twice. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine, Cena shared his journey from sun-loving youth to cancer survivor, offering an important reminder about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure.
&ldquo;I grew up in a small town next to Newburyport and Salisbury Beach,&rdquo; he recalled. &ldquo;Some of my earliest memories of summer are of small carnivals and people walking the beachside.&rdquo; Born in 1977, he admitted that sunscreen wasn&rsquo;t a priority back then. &ldquo;Never,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;My mom raised five boys&hellip; she had her hands full. And this was kind of all new knowledge.&rdquo;
After moving to Florida in his twenties, Cena fell in love with the sunshine&mdash;but didn&rsquo;t adjust his habits. &ldquo;I was stubborn,&rdquo; he told PEOPLE. &ldquo;I didn't want to have a routine and I also thought the problem would never reach me.&rdquo; Years of exposure with little to no protection finally caught up with him.
It wasn&rsquo;t until he visited a dermatologist for a routine skin check that Cena discovered a cancerous spot on his chest. &ldquo;It wasn't until I went to a dermatologist and got a skin checkup and had a cancerous spot removed from my right pec,&rdquo; he shared. A year later, another spot appeared near his right shoulder.
So. Her&rsquo;s how to spot early signs of skin cancer that could save your life:
How to Spot the Signs of Skin Cancer
 Early detection of skin cancer can be life-saving. Experts recommend performing regular self-checks and looking for changes in the skin that may seem unusual. Here are key indicators:
New growths or moles that appear suddenly Changes in the size, shape, or color of existing moles Sores that do not heal Itching, bleeding, or crusting of skin spots
How to Protect Your Skin &ndash; Starting Today
Cena&rsquo;s story isn&rsquo;t unique, but his platform brings powerful awareness to a preventable disease. Here are expert-backed tips for protecting your skin and reducing your cancer risk:
1. Wear Sunscreen Daily
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. Reapply every two hours or after swimming.
2. Avoid Tanning Beds
Artificial UV light is just as dangerous as sunlight and significantly increases your risk of melanoma.
3. Seek Shade and Cover Up
Stay out of direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wear hats, sunglasses, and UV-protective clothing.
4. Perform Regular Skin Checks
Look for new or changing moles and spots. Follow the ABCDE rule:
A helpful guide is the ABCDE rule:
Asymmetry &ndash; one half of a mole doesn&rsquo;t match the other Border &ndash; edges are uneven or blurred Color &ndash; multiple shades or colors in one mole Diameter &ndash; larger than 6 millimeters Evolving &ndash; any visible change in size, shape, or behavior
5. See a Dermatologist Annually
Professional skin exams can catch early signs of cancer before they become serious

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