A YOUTUBER has revealed that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
Gaming fanatic Ninja, whose real name is Tyler Blevins, revealed he was told the news following an annual check-up.
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The influencer, 32, said a dermatologist found a mole on his foot and it was removed as a precaution.
“It came back as melanoma, but they are optimistic that we caught it in the early stages,” he told his fans on X, formerly Twitter.
“I had another dark spot appear near it, so today they biopsied that and removed a larger area around the melanoma with the hopes that under the microscope they will see clear non-melanoma edges and we will know we got it.
“I’m grateful to have hope in finding this early, but please take this as a PSA to get skin checkups.”
Ninja, of Illinois, revealed that his wife Jess had booked the appointment on his behalf.
Fans have flocked to send well-wishes to the internet star, who said he was shocked after being told the news.
“Good job being proactive, here’s to you coming back healthy and clean,” one said.
“Wishing the best my friend,” another chimed.
Melanoma is the third most common type of skin cancer, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health experts have warned that it causes the most deaths because of the risks that it spreads to other parts of the body.
Not all skin cancers look the same.
The CDC has shared five warning signs people should look out for.
Signs of skin cancer to look out for
Experts at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention have revealed that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. But doctors have warned that not all skin cancer is or looks the same. Here are the signs to look out for.
- Is the mole asymmetrical?
- Is the border of the mole irregular or jagged?
- Is its color uneven?
- Is the mole larger than a pea?
- Has the mole changed in appearance over a period of time?
To lower the risk of contracting the illness, Americans should protect their skin from sunlight and avoid using sunbeds.
You can reduce the risk of contracting the illness by protecting your skin from UV rays from the sun.
Medics have advised sunbeds and tanning lamps should be avoided.
Staying in the shade and wearing a hat that protects the face, head, ears, and neck can also help lessen the risk of contracting skin cancer.
CDC chiefs have advised sunblock that is at least SPF 15 should be used.
The health agency also urges people to check their skin regularly.
Ninja, a popular Twitch stream, rose to fame when he played the computer game Fortnite with the A-listers Travis Scott and Drake.
Ninja is the most followed streamer on Twitch, boasting more than 18.8 million followers to his name.
The influencer is known for his goofy personality and impressions, per his YouTube bio.
The games he is currently playing include Fortnite and Warzone.
He boasts almost 24 million followers on the platform.