Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, the famed American gamer and Twitch star with a massive following of 19 million, recently revealed that he has been diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer. He shared this news in a post on X on Tuesday, stating, “I’m still processing this news but want to keep everyone informed.” His dermatologist discovered melanoma after removing a mole from the sole of his foot during a routine skin check.
“They are hopeful that we detected it early,” Blevins mentioned in the post. Additionally, doctors biopsied a second dark spot near the initial mole and removed a significant area around the melanoma to ensure complete removal of any cancerous tissue.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to catch this early, but I urge everyone to prioritize routine skin checkups,” emphasized Blevins.
In a statement to CNN, Blevins and his wife, Jessica Blevins, expressed, “We wanted to use our platform to raise awareness about the importance of regular skin examinations.” “We are feeling hopeful and will continue to provide updates as we discuss further with our doctors.”
Blevins’ announcement comes amid a recent increase in notable cancer diagnoses among individuals under 50, a trend that has raised concerns globally.
While the exact cause of this trend remains uncertain, researchers speculate that changes in the types of risk factors individuals encounter may contribute to a higher likelihood of developing cancer at a younger age. Factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, exposure to air pollution, obesity, lack of physical activity, and a diet low in fruits and vegetables are recognized by the World Health Organization as significant contributors to cancer.
Melanoma, though rare, accounts for about 1% of skin cancer cases but is responsible for a significant majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Unlike other forms of skin cancer, melanoma often spreads to other parts of the body, leading to a higher mortality rate. While the average age of melanoma diagnosis is 66, it is not uncommon among young adults, particularly young women. Risk factors for melanoma include having lighter skin color, frequent exposure to UV light, having many moles, having a family history of melanoma, and having a personal history of melanoma or other skin cancers.