Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson reveals 'really painful' cancer scare

Edward Segarra, USA TODAYThu, June 11, 2026 at 4:08 PM UTC

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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is the ultimate fighter, but even he has his weak moments.

The Golden Globe-nominated actor and professional wrestler opened up about his health, including a recent cancer scare, in an interview with Esquire magazine published Thursday, June 11.

Shortly before a press event for his upcoming film, "Jumanji: Open World," Johnson said he discovered a lump on one of his testicles while taking a shower.

"By the way: I'm fine," Johnson, 54, told the outlet. "But I didn't know that then, and the thing was really painful."

Johnson said he kept the health concern on the down-low, not even telling his wife and partner of nearly two decades, Lauren Hashian. "I didn't want to worry her before I knew if it was anything to even worry about," he said.

Dwayne Johnson attends the 2026 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 4, 2026.

Johnson said he later visited his doctor for an examination and was told the lump could be a case of epididymitis, which is an inflammation of the coiled tube at the back of the testicle, or epididymis, that carries sperm. But the doctor also acknowledged that it could be a symptom of testicular cancer.

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The actor was instructed to get an ultrasound immediately after wrapping his "Jumanji" event.

"So, I had to live with that for those 24 hours, not knowing," Johnson recalled, later adding that he's "OK" now. "And I had to be on all day, joking around, making speeches."

Johnson turned 54 on May 2. As he navigates midlife, Johnson told Esquire that he's "reached this point in my life … where I feel like I've worked hard to just be at peace."

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"As dudes, as young men, teenagers, 20s, we're trying to find ourselves. Then, in the 30s, that teenage bravado and confidence begin to wane," Johnson said. "You hit your 40s, and you're trying to figure [out] who you are. Feels like you got your job locked down. Hopefully you got your family. But wait: Who am I? What's my why?

"By the time I hit my fifth level [Johnson's 50s], I was working hard just to find what peace meant. Things in my world have become less presentational, less broadcast-y, more 'I'm going to put in the work, and I'll keep it as quiet as I can.'"

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