By Sagar V. Mankar Famed Gamer Ninja Gets Clean Bill of Health After Scary Skin Cancer Diagnosis
Renowned professional gamer and popular Twitch streamer, Tyler Blevins, known by his online alias Ninja, revealed that he has been declared cancer-free.
This announcement comes in the wake of his diagnosis with melanoma just last week.
Blevins took to social media to share the uplifting update, expressing gratitude for his overwhelming support from fans and loved ones.
“Just got the news from my dermatologist,” Blevins wrote. “Great news.”
Just got the news from my dermatologist, Great news x 2!
Excision was successful with clear margins. Lesion biopsied nearby showed only mild atypia and was entirely removed with the biopsy. As of right now, I am officially cancer free ^_^ thank you all for the prayers and kind…— Ninja (@Ninja) April 4, 2024
Last week, Blevins announced he had a mole that had been spotted on his foot and came back as cancerous.
A small, innocuous mole nestled inconspicuously on the sole of Blevins’ foot set off alarm bells among medical professionals, prompting its immediate removal “just to be careful” and test results came back as positive for melanoma.
Physicians were optimistic they detected the cancer in its early stages.
Nonetheless, after another dark spot emerged near the site of the previous mole removal, Blevins awaited biopsy results with anxiety.
Thankfully, the latest tests showed the cancer had been successfully removed.
What is Melanoma Cancer?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that originates in the melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color.
While melanoma accounts for only about 1% of all skin cancers, it is considered the most dangerous form due to its potential to spread to other parts of the body if not detected and treated early.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are several different types of melanoma, including:
- Superficial spreading melanoma
- Nodular melanoma
- Lentigo maligna melanoma
- Acral lentiginous melanoma
Superficial spreading melanoma is the most common, making up about 70% of all melanoma cases.
Melanoma can be particularly insidious because it can grow and spread quickly, making early detection and treatment crucial.
Delayed or inadequate treatment can allow the cancer to metastasize, increasing the risk of serious health complications and even death.
Ninja’s experience highlights the importance of routinely checking your skin for any new, changing, or unusual moles or spots.
According to the American Cancer Society, possible melanoma warning signs include:
- Moles that are asymmetrical, have irregular borders, uneven colors, larger than a pencil eraser, or evolving in size, shape or color over time.
Ninja’s Stardom in the Gaming World
Blevins’ journey to fame in the gaming world began with his prowess in the game “Halo 3,” where he gained recognition as a competitive gamer.
However, it was his meteoric rise alongside the phenomenon of “Fortnite” in 2017 that propelled him to global celebrity status, further cementing his reputation through regular appearances on the popular streaming platform, Twitch.
His some notable achievements:
- One of the first gamers to gain over 10 million followers on Twitch
- First streamer to get an exclusive skin in a mainstream game (Fortnite)
- Earned over $10 million from streaming/esports tournaments in 2018 alone
- Holds multiple kill records in Halo 3 and peaked as one of the top professional players
- First esports gamer to be featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine in 2018
- Collaborated with celebrities like Drake, Travis Scott, and JuJu Smith-Schuster on stream
- Became the first professional gamer to be featured in a Super Bowl commercial (NFL x Twitch, 2019).
- Inked exclusive streaming deals with Twitch, Mixer, and YouTube worth tens of millions
Today, Blevins commands an impressive audience of 19 million followers on Twitch and 23 million on YouTube, solidifying his position as one of the platform’s most influential personalities.