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McCain Warns of Sun Dangers After Dermatological Checkup
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ShareJuly 28, 2008 2:06 PM
ABC News' Bret Hovell Reports: John McCain used the occasion Monday of his quarterly dermatological checkup to remind Americans about the dangers of skin cancer.
“I want to urge all Americans to wear sunscreen, particularly this summer, to stay out of the sun as much as possible…” McCain said, “and if you have any slight discoloration, please go to your dermatologist or your doctor and get it checked up on.”
McCain was speaking to reporters in Bakersfield, Calif, a few hours after having a small spot removed from his right temple out of what appears to be an abundance of caution being exercised by his doctors.
McCain said the procedure was routine, and that his doctor “took a small little nick from my cheek as she does regularly.” McCain said the spot would be biopsied “just to make sure everything is fine.”
He was asked if his doctor was confident that the spot was nothing, and he replied, “sure, sure, absolutely.”
McCain is a four time survivor of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and he regularly stresses the importance of protection from the sun.
“Melanoma is a preventable occurrence,” the Arizona Republican said. “It really is, it’s one of the most preventable occurrences, but remember a lot of the damage that people receive from the sun when they’re young sometimes comes back later in life."
In 2000, McCain had a spot on his left temple removed along with more than thirty lymph nodes on the left side of his face and neck. The procedure was successful, but left the Senator with a large scar running the length of his face. McCain has been cancer free since 2002.
The presumptive Republican nominee sees his dermatologist every three months for screenings, and today’s visit in Phoenix was one of them. A campaign aide said that the doctor was not concerned by the lesion that had to be removed, adding it was, “nothing that looked in any way cancerous.”
July 28, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan | Permalink | User Comments (159)
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Why are they hiding this information?
This should be front page news.This man needs to get a rest.
Posted by: Ndali | Jul 28, 2008 2:15:18 PM
Thats very sad news, lets hope the senator make a full recovery and everything turns out fine for him. I'll keep him and his family in my prayers.
Posted by: Liberal4Obama | Jul 28, 2008 2:29:03 PM
I knew something would have to come out on McCain's health today since they ran the story on Obama's hip being sore and he had to see a doctor.
Posted by: Greg | Jul 28, 2008 2:29:47 PM
McCain will be 72 on Aug. 29. That's the average age of most retirement communities in the US. You have to ask yourself is this guy up to the task especially considering all the goofy gaffes and confused comments he has been making lately.
Posted by: HonestAbe | Jul 28, 2008 2:31:12 PM
I am not a fan of this man but I pray it is good news for him and his family.
Posted by: becky | Jul 28, 2008 2:31:41 PM
He needs to drop out of the race, And take time of to take care of his health. His health should be his number 1 priority not presidency.
Posted by: jjroagerblue | Jul 28, 2008 2:33:03 PM
Yeah I hope he is keeping on top of it...me dad who is a little younger than Mccain...is fighting the same cancer ratio (he has also been diagnosed twice before and had to have treatments/removals)
I would still like to hear what other physicians say about this...
Only because as my dad says...
"if you have it once they warn you...
if you have it twice... they watch you...closely and often"
that will be the case for John McCain for the rest of his life.
Posted by: dl | Jul 28, 2008 2:35:50 PM
John needs to get out of Arizona.
Posted by: dl | Jul 28, 2008 2:37:16 PM
This maks it all the more important who McBush picks to be his VP running mate. That person may very well end up in the WH.
Posted by: HunterSThompson | Jul 28, 2008 2:37:49 PM
You guys should leave McCain alone.
Posted by: None | Jul 28, 2008 2:38:24 PM
This makes the McCain VP choice critical and McCain doesn't have a lot of good choices. They all have major liabilities, I predict he will wait for the convention and pick Jeb Bush.
Posted by: Rich | Jul 28, 2008 2:40:05 PM
Here is hoping the cancer is removed successfully. Skin cancer is caused by heavy exposure to the sun and skin burning. People should definitely wear sun screens to help prevent skin cancer. My grandfather fought skin cancer for 40 years before dying in his 90s.
Posted by: Mary | Jul 28, 2008 2:40:37 PM
McCain is not my choice, However I wish him well! All politics aside.
Posted by: Elitist | Jul 28, 2008 2:44:16 PM
Despite the doctor's non-concern and the "don't know" statement by the campaign aide, the lesion will certainly be biopsied for a cancer presence. It would be medical malpractice to not do the biopsy for a person with McCain's cancer history.
Not a supporter, but I wish him well.
Posted by: BronxInTN | Jul 28, 2008 2:48:04 PM
look, forget who your candidate is...this type of stuff should make us all pause. Melemona has nothing to do with advanced age, my sister had stage 4 melenoma when she was 30. (not from sun exposure but hormone triggered). thank God she is still okay 20 years later.
This can strike anyone so wear sunscreen, NO tanning beds and get a regular skin screening folks.
Sounds like a PSA doesn't it?
Posted by: WhiteChick | Jul 28, 2008 2:51:40 PM
I'm not a supporter of Senator McCain's, but I will pray for him and his family. Let not our political battles blind us to our common bonds, people. (I'll be praying for Robert Novak, too.)
Posted by: Scientific | Jul 28, 2008 2:52:41 PM
good luck McCain. But can we really trust the doctors, i am having feeling they were hiding the diagnosis until after November. the fact remain that McCain health matter more than the presidency.
Posted by: John | Jul 28, 2008 2:55:55 PM
i must know 20 people who have had this problem---some of them in their 40s it is quite common-----may get him a few sympathy votes.
Posted by: rodney | Jul 28, 2008 3:14:11 PM
diane
i wanted to say that but i get attacked enough----thanks
Posted by: rodney | Jul 28, 2008 3:16:05 PM
President Bush inherited a budget surplus of $128 billion when he took office in 2001 but has since posted a budget deficit every year.
Anyone that thinks it would be diffrent with mcsame as pres needs there head checked for cancer too!
Posted by: Joe | Jul 28, 2008 3:30:59 PM
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