Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins, a popular Twitch streamer and Fortnite professional, has revealed that he has been diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
In a tweet and Instagram story, the 32-year-old internet sensation revealed details of his recent health checkup, saying, “Alright, I’m still in a bit of shock but want to keep you all updated.”
He went on, saying, “There was a mole on the bottom of my foot that [a dermatologist] wanted to remove just to be careful. It came back as melanoma, but they are optimistic that we caught it in the early stages.”
Following the first diagnosis, Ninja stated that physicians biopsied another “dark spot” near the mole on his foot before removing “a larger area around the melanoma.” He hoped that after evaluating the test results, his dermatologists would “see clear non-melanoma edges.”
What is Melanoma?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer affects approximately one in every five people in the United States at some point in their lives. Melanoma is a rare type of skin cancer, accounting for only approximately 1% of cases. It is responsible for the vast majority of skin cancer-related deaths.
Melanoma begins in the skin but can spread to other parts of the body, contributing to its increased mortality rate, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Although melanoma is most commonly diagnosed in those over the age of 66, it can sometimes affect young adults. It is one of the most frequent tumors among young adults, particularly among young women, according to the American Cancer Society.
According to the American Cancer Society, risk factors for melanoma include light skin tone, UV light exposure, a large number of moles, a family history of melanoma, and a personal history of melanoma or other skin malignancies.
After disclosing his diagnosis, the Fortnite pro received outpourings of support from his online community. Fellow creators Daithi De Nogla, SypherPK, and Jake Lucky all sent their best wishes.
