Twitch streamer Ninja confirms cancer diagnosis. What is melanoma?

Unfortunate news in the streaming world as one of its biggest stars and most recognizable figures, Tyler Blevins, better known as Ninja, has been diagnosed with cancer, according to the streamer himself. But for now, the streamer is waiting to find out at what stage he was discovered.

In a post on his Twitter account, Blevins spoke to his nearly 6.6 million followers on the social network about his situation, mentioning the “bit of shock” he is in, and that after a routine checkup with a dermatologist, one of the moles on his foot was found to be melanoma, although according to his post, “they are optimistic that we caught it in the early stages.”

For now, it remains to wait for the results to be favorable for the streamer, hoping that other biopsies will show “clear non-melanoma edge”. In the end, Ninja urges his followers to “take this as a PSA to get your skin checked”. Beyond the well wishes the streamer, who has nearly 19 million subscribers on Twitch, has received, his message has reached nearly 4.2 million users and is a great wake-up call for this type of cancer.

What is melanoma and why is it important to detect it early?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells called melanocytes that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. Typically, melanoma manifests itself as an abnormal growth of melanocytes, often appearing as moles or dark spots on the skin.

If left untreated, melanoma can spread to other parts of the body, causing serious and potentially life-threatening complications. It can metastasize to organs such as the lungs, liver, brain or bones, causing significant health problems and reducing the chances of successful treatment. Early detection and prompt medical intervention are critical to managing melanoma and improving outcomes.