The top streamer on Twitch, known as ‘Ninja’, has been diagnosed with skin cancer.

American gamer and Twitch star Tyler “Ninja” Blevins shared that he has melanoma, a type of skin cancer.

The 32-year-old, who has 19 million followers on Twitch, talked about his diagnosis in a post on X on Tuesday. “I’m still a bit surprised but want to keep everyone informed,” he said.

His skin doctor found out Blevins had melanoma after taking off a mole on the bottom of his foot during a regular skin check.

“They think we caught it early,” Blevins mentioned in the post.

He also mentioned that doctors checked another dark spot near the first mole and removed a big area around the melanoma to check if they got rid of all the cancer cells.

“I’m thankful we found this early, but please make sure to get skin checkups,” Blevins advised in the post.

“I wanted to use my influence to talk about the importance of getting regular skin checkups,” Blevins and his wife, Jessica Blevins, said in a statement to CNN. “We are hopeful and will update everyone as we talk more with our doctors.”

Blevins’ post comes after a series of cancer diagnoses in younger people, a worrying trend worldwide.

Researchers aren’t sure why this is happening, but they think changes in the things that can cause cancer might be making it more likely for people to get it at a younger age. Smoking, drinking alcohol, air pollution, being overweight, not being active, and not eating enough fruits and vegetables are all things that can increase the risk of cancer, according to the World Health Organization.

What is melanoma?

Skin cancer is the most widespread type of cancer in the United States, with 1 in 5 Americans expected to develop it at some point in their lives, as per the American Academy of Dermatology.

Blevins was diagnosed with melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer that accounts for about 1% of cases but is responsible for most skin cancer-related deaths. Melanoma typically starts in the skin but can spread to other parts of the body, which makes it more deadly, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the average age for a melanoma diagnosis is 66, it’s not unusual for young adults to get it. In fact, it’s one of the most common cancers in young adults, particularly in young women, says the American Cancer Society.

Factors that increase the risk of melanoma include having lighter skin, exposure to UV light, having many moles, having a family history of melanoma, and having had melanoma or other skin cancers in the past, according to the American Cancer Society.

How to prevent skin cancer

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests protecting your skin from the sun, avoiding direct sunlight during the middle of the day, and steering clear of tanning beds to lower the risk of skin cancer.

“Every time you tan, whether it’s from the sun or a tanning bed, your skin gets damaged,” explains the American Academy of Dermatology on its website. “This damage adds up over time, making your skin age faster and increasing the chances of getting skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the deadliest type.”

The Academy also encourages people to check their skin regularly for any new or suspicious spots and to see a dermatologist if they find anything concerning.

The US Preventive Services Task Force doesn’t currently recommend routine skin cancer screenings for people without symptoms, so insurance might not cover such visits. However, if anyone notices unusual spots or symptoms suggesting skin cancer, they should speak with their primary care doctor or dermatologist.

How to perform a skin self-exam

A crucial part of checking for skin cancer is keeping track of moles and other spots on your skin and noticing any changes, says the association.

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests using a full-length mirror to examine the front, back, and sides of your body. Then, take a closer look at areas like the underarms, forearms, palms, legs, between your toes, and the soles of your feet. You can use a hand mirror to check harder-to-see spots like the back of your neck, scalp, back, and buttocks.

To spot signs of melanoma, you can use the ABCDE acronym: A for asymmetry, B for irregular border, C for varied color, D for diameter, and E for evolving. If any of your moles or spots show these characteristics, it’s recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology that you see your dermatologist.