McCain has had no recurrence of skin cancer
(Updates with release of documents)
By Steve Holland and Tim Gaynor
FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz., May 23 (Reuters) - Republican John McCain has had no recurrence of a potentially deadly skin cancer and is generally in good health although he has had colon polyps and kidney stones, according to medical records released on Friday.
The Arizona senator, who turns 72 in August and would be the oldest elected first-term president, "enjoys excellent health and displays extraordinary energy," said his physician Dr. John Eckstein.
"I can find no medical reason or problems that would preclude Senator McCain from fulfilling all the duties and obligations of president of the United States," he said in a statement.
McCain's health records were made available to be viewed by a small group of reporters in Arizona in an effort to put to rest lingering questions about his health and ability to handle the rigors of the presidency.
An executive summary of McCain's records said he has no heart problems and was able to exercise at a high level in a treadmill stress test. He smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 25 years until stopping in 1980.
The records showed that McCain has chronic shoulder pain and moderate pain of the right knee from injuries he received when as he was shot down as Navy pilot and spent 5 1/2 years in a Vietnam prisoner of war camp.
Also, he has had some common health problems including benign colon polyps that were removed and kidney stones.
Major surgery on his face in 2000 removed a melanoma, a skin cancer that can be deadly. The surgery left a noticeable scar and bulge down the left side of his face.
MELANOMAS REMOVED
One source of concern about McCain for many Americans is his age, and McCain has sought to address any questions by pursuing a vigorous campaign, but until now has not released detailed information about his health.
His likely Democratic opponent in the November election, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama will be 47 in August. Obama, a basketball player, says he has given up smoking but has not released his medical records.
The 400 pages of health records detailed McCain's struggle with skin cancer in which four malignant melanomas were removed in 1993, 2000 and 2002. None of these represented a recurrence of any previous melanoma, a summary of the report said.
Of the most serious bout, the melanoma removed in 2000, there has been no evidence that the cancer spread. His most recent skin exam was May 12 and he has regular checkups every three or four months.
"Other less serious skin cancers have been removed over the years without complication. These have been non-melanoma basal cell and squamous cell cancers," the report said.
A doctor's report from a Feb. 6 exam said he takes a medication to control his cholesterol, along with a baby aspirin, allergy medicine and occasionally uses the sleep-inducing drug Ambien.
The Arizona senator's health records showed his blood pressure and weight are healthy and he has occasional bouts of dizziness when he stands suddenly but which tests have shown are not a concern. (Editing by Jackie Frank) (To read more about the U.S. political campaign, visit Reuters "Tales from the Trail: 2008" online at http:/blogs.reuters.com/trail08/)
