() – American gamer and Twitch superstar Tyler “Ninja” Blevins was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
The 32-year-old figure, who has 19 million followers on Twitch, shared his diagnosis in a message in X this Tuesday. “I’m still a little in shock, but I want to keep you all informed,” he explained in the post.
His dermatologist determined that Blevins had melanoma after removing a mole on the bottom of his foot during a routine skin check.
“They are optimistic because we caught it in the early stages,” Blevins wrote in the message.
“Ninja” added that doctors also biopsied a second dark spot near the initial mole, and removed a large area around the melanoma to determine if they had managed to remove all the cancerous tissue.
“I’m grateful for hope that we found this early, but please take it as a warning to get your skin checked,” Blevins said in his message.
Blevins and his wife, Jessica Blevins, said in a statement to : “I wanted to use my platform to bring attention to the importance of routine skin checks. “We are extremely optimistic and will keep you all updated as we discuss further with our doctors.”
Blevins’ statement comes after a recent wave of cancer diagnoses in well-known personalities who are under 50 years old, a worrying trend that is emerging worldwide.
No one knows exactly what causes this trend, but researchers propose We hypothesize that changes in the types of risk factors people are exposed to increase the risk of cancer at a younger age. Smoking, alcohol consumption, air pollution, obesity, lack of physical activity and a diet with few fruits and vegetables are key risk factors for cancer, according to the World Health Organization.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States: one in five Americans will suffer from skin cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology
Blevins was diagnosed with melanoma, a rare type of skin cancer – only 1% of cases – but which accounts for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths. Melanoma starts on the skin, but has a tendency to spread to other parts of the body, causing more deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from the United States.
The average age of melanoma diagnosis is 66 years, but it is not unusual for it to be identified among young adults. In fact, it is one of the most common cancers in this age group, especially in women, according to the American Cancer Society.
Among the risk factors Melanoma include having a light skin color, being exposed to ultraviolet light, having many moles, having a family history of melanoma, and having a personal history of melanoma or other skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.
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The American Academy of Dermatology recommends Use sun protection, avoid direct sunlight at midday, and avoid tanning beds to prevent skin cancer.
“Whether you expose yourself to the sun’s ultraviolet rays or go to an indoor tanning salon, every time you tan, your skin is damaged,” the American Academy of Dermatology explains on its website. “As this damage accumulates, you accelerate the aging of your skin and increase your risk of all types of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.”
The group also advises people to perform regular skin self-examinations and to see a dermatologist if they notice any new, suspicious spots on their skin.
Currently, the US Preventive Services Task Force. does not recommend routine skin cancer screening for asymptomatic adolescents and adults, so insurance may not cover specific visits for this purpose. However, if a person has suspicious spots on the skin or any other symptoms that may indicate the presence of skin cancer, they should consult their primary care doctor or dermatologist.
An important part of a thorough skin cancer screening is documenting moles and other skin spots and noticing changes, the association says.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a full-length mirror to look at the front, back, and sides of your body. Next, take a closer look at your armpits, forearms, palms, legs, between your toes, and on the soles of your feet. A hand mirror can be used to check the nape of the neck, scalp, back and buttocks.
The acronym ABCDE can be used to look for signs of melanoma: A for asymmetry, B for irregular border, C for variable color, D for diameter, E for evolution. If any of your moles or pigment spots have these characteristics, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you consult your dermatologist.
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