Ninja, Twitch's biggest game streamer, is diagnosed with skin cancer

American gamer and Twitch superstar, Tyler “Ninja” Blevins revealed that he was diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

The 32-year-old, who has 19 million followers on Twitch, shared his diagnosis in a post on X on Tuesday (26).

“I'm still a little in shock, but I want to keep you all updated,” he wrote.

His dermatologist determined that Blevins had melanoma after removing a mole on the bottom of his foot during a routine skin exam.

“They are optimistic that we caught this in the early stages,” Blevins wrote in the post.

He added that doctors also took a biopsy of a second dark spot near the initial mole and removed a large area around the melanoma to determine if they were able to obtain all of the cancerous tissue.

“I'm grateful to have hope of catching this early, but please take this as a warning to get your skin checked,” he said.

A CNN reached out to Blevins for further comment.

Blevins' publication follows a recent wave of prominent cancer diagnoses in people under 50, a worrying trend that is emerging globally.

No one knows exactly what is driving this trend, but researchers hypothesize that changes in the types of risk factors people are exposed to increase their risk of cancer at a younger age.

Smoking, alcohol consumption, air pollution, obesity, lack of physical activity and a diet low in fruits and vegetables are the main risk factors for cancer, according to the World Health Organization.

What is melanoma

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States; 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Blevins was diagnosed with melanoma, which is a rare type of skin cancer – only about 1% of cases of the disease – but responsible for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths.

Melanoma starts in the skin but has a tendency to spread to other parts of the body, which is why it leads to more deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The average age of melanoma diagnosis is 66 years, but it is not uncommon among young adults. In fact, it's one of the most common cancers in young adults, especially young women, according to the American Cancer Society.

Risk factors for melanoma include lighter skin, exposure to ultraviolet light, lots of moles, a family history of melanoma and a personal history of melanoma or other types of skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

How to prevent skin cancer

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people use sun protection, avoid direct sunlight at midday, and avoid tanning beds to prevent skin cancer.

“Whether you are exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays or visit a tanning salon, every time you tan, your skin becomes damaged,” states the American Academy of Dermatology on its website.

“As this damage increases, you accelerate skin aging 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.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not currently recommend routine skin cancer screening for teens and adults without any symptoms, so insurance plans may not cover specific visits for this purpose.

However, if people experience suspicious skin patches or any other symptoms related to skin cancer, they should talk to their primary care doctor or dermatologist.

How to perform a skin self-examination

An important part of skin cancer screening is documenting moles and other blemishes on the skin and observing 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.

Then take a closer look at your armpits, forearms, palms, legs, between your toes, and the soles of your feet.

A handheld mirror can be used to check the back 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 exhibit these characteristics, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you consult your dermatologist.