McCain: Voters should not be concerned about my health
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/07/28/art.mccainlkl.cnn.jpg caption="Catch the full interview on CNN's Larry King Live, 9 p.m. ET."](CNN) - John McCain told CNN’s Larry King Monday that voters should not be concerned about his health, hours after the Arizona senator had a mole-like growth removed from his face.
McCain, who has had four malignant melanomas removed in the past, told reporters earlier in the day his doctor does not believe the latest growth is serious and was removed as a precautionary measure.
In the interview with King, McCain said he now takes precautions from the sun and is not concerned his skin cancer will return.
"Melanoma, if you look at it and be careful it's fine," he said. "I had one serious bout with it and that was frankly due to my own neglect. I let it go and go and go. In fact, I was running for president at the time. I'm not making that mistake again."
Three of McCain's past melanomas — on his left shoulder, left arm and left nasal wall — were limited to the top skin layer and were not invasive. They were removed in 1993, 2000 and 2002, and all were declared Stage 0, of little long-term concern.
But a fourth melanoma proved to be invasive and was removed from his left lower temple in 2000.
McCain also said he gets a routine skin checkup every three months, and his doctor often removes small patches of skin to ensure he remains cancer free.
"We do it quite frequently for those of us that were young and had great exposure to the sun," he said. "As you know my dad was in the Navy and we lived in places where I was at the beach a lot, and I'm paying the price for that."
McCain's comments also came shortly after the Mayo clinic issued a statement on the procedure.
"This morning, as part of his commitment to monitor his dermatological health on a regular basis, Senator John McCain visited the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a routine examination. As a precaution, a biopsy was ordered of a very small area on Senator McCain's right cheek. This is a routine minor procedure," said Michael Yardley, Chair of Public Affairs at the Mayo Clinic/
Catch the full interview with McCain tonight on Larry King Live, 9 p.m. ET
Too old and unhealthy to be our president. 🙂
Why shouldn't we be concerned about the ole war-monger's health. After all, he IS in his Mid-70s, he can't lift his arms up over his head, has to have skin growths removed from his face, and what's up with the protruding jaw? It looks like he as an impacted wisdom tooth.
Anyway, we have every right to be concerned about the health of some one who want's to be the leader of this country.
We need some fresh blood in the White House, and I'm talking about ALL THE 'Elder Statesmen/Women" It's time to take this country in a NEW DIRECTION.
NO, what American's should be concerned about-YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS!
That's more frightening.
Give me a break!!! I am going to say it!!! I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HIS AGE!!! THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT MY CONCERN FOR IS BUSH – STYLE POLITICS. HE IS FROM THE WHITE OLD BOY GENERATION THAT DOESNT GET THE MOVE TOWARD GLOBAL DIVERSITY AND RECONCILIATION.
MR. WILSON IS TOO OLD!!!!
It's his senility that people should be worried about. They should also be worried about his lies,hypocrisy, negativity, lack of faith in this country and it's people and on and on and on! NO TO MCSAME!
McCain is just too old. It doesn't make him a bad person, but any person in the world can attest to the fact that people in their 70's are not at the top of their game ... physically or mentally. It is a fact.
We need younger people in politics to break the cycle of the old world mindset. Obama is just the man to step up.
I don't think it should be the central issue but, John, yes we should be concerned about your health.
You had a large medical record, you have significant health issues, and yes your age works against you.
We have to look seriously at who you choose as a vice president as he may have to succeed you.
Your health is the least of my worries...
Your policies and party affiliation are terrifying, however.
ooo well mccain you are old lets admit it. i want someone strong and though. so Obama is better for me to vote
Gee, I wish I had health care like him. This "Tax break" method only works if you make tons of money to begin with.
Now he's a doctor. I'm sorry, but the risk of death for a 71 year old man with a history of cancer is higher than a 21 year-old olympic swimmer with no health issues.
I don't know if he's ready to keel over or not, but he's likely at a higher risk of virtually everything that would impact his presidency than Obama. Only you can decide if that's relevant to you.
If hes already falling apart on the campaign trail,what makes anyone think he wont just die in the white house?
Obama '08
mccain's mental health has me more concerned than this mole. his forgetfulness, lack of knowledge, anger issues, the way he let bush trash his family without defending them, his flip-flopping....
Melanoma may be under control with proper measures. No worries.
He should have worn a hat his whole life. I've heard the sun was much stronger back at the turn of the century.
Apparently, McCain is not very concerned because he laughed through his interview on CNN about another cancer on his face. He laughs at everything. McCain wasn't laughing when he on was the stage with Lance Armstrong.
Now, it is reported that the cost to repair bridges of 142,000,000. It is not good judgement or experience when McCain still wants to do his toss the voters a bone in his "Holiday Gas Tax". That would give us $28 for the summer. Does he think we are that stupid. McCain wants to keep us in the war, that is all is can run on. He has no judgement on the war. The only experience is has is 30 years in congress. That would qualify a 100 other people in Congress.
McBush has got us in the worst deficit. McCain will continue.
Barack Obama is the President we must have. We need someone to lower gas prices the right way, create jobs, fix the housing problems, and bring our wonderful military home.
More than his health, his temper and anger scare my wits!! He is a angry man (sometimes subtle unlike the mad dog Rush Limbaugh). If you don't believe me, read Joe Klein's article in latest Time Magazine. I am scared to death that if he is elected president, he will start World War III.
Someone who had cancer numerous times is not quite the person I want running the country. Its time for the old home grandpa.
JOHN MC...HE HAS A SPOT RMOVED..CHECK....HOW WILL HIS' HEALTH BE WHEN-IF HE IS PRES
OBAM..HAS A SORE HIP...TO YOUNG TO BE OLD AGE..DOSE HE HAVE THE "BIG C."??
GET A GRIP...HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT CAME OUT OF THE MD OFFICE WITH A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH...AND DIES OF SOMETHING SHORTLY AFTER...
My beloved America is being gutted and bled by the wealthy elite.
A 482 Billion dollar deficit, America's life blood sucked into the bowels of greedy corporations like Haliburton, Bechtel, the Chinese Army (!).
I don't give a rat's pituti about Obama's VP deliberations CNN, why don't you write about the bloody crime that has been committed against America.
Or are you serving the interests of those plunderers?
I'm more worried about his mental health a la senility, than his physical health...
Oh! it is very important the state of the candidate health to be able to pick up the phone at 3:a.m. and to carry out business with foreign dignitaries. We can not efford someone feeble.
We want someone energetic. No more repubs this year.
Landslide Obama 08/12.
Less than 100 days left for a change in new direction.
An opportunity to fix the economy.
Go Obama go!
Thanks about the warning that he will be on Larry King Live – I won't watch ANY program that features a warmonger.
I gotta wonder how much we tax payers spend on multi-millionaire politicians and their families healthcare. Especially while many of us taxpayers receive little in the way of benefits, and I'm sure that VERY FEW of us get the kind of care these guys get. I don't know why I have to work to pay for their healthcare, while the quality of the healthcare I get cannot compare! I suggest they get the same benefits as a greeter at Walmart – at least the greeter has an honest job. Dick Cheney had to cost us millions! How about instead of the US taxpayer footing the bill for these parasites, they could have a Bake Sale or a dance at the local firehouse. Instead they continue raping the US taxpayers.
What a relief McCan't: so stop talking about the surge – the surge is not going to fill tanks with affordable gasoline for Americansnor is it feeding the poor – giving shelter to the homeless. Neither is your BABY (the surge) helping homeowners keep their morgaged homes.
The surge is not solving the problems, nor is it going to help balance the national budget (on the contrary , it has made it worse and there is no end in sight) And stop insulting Germans(since I am included in your wicked taunts – we don't cower to anybody – never again!) What you and your likes get away with is unthinkable over. Politicians are held more accountable her than in the U.S. – you can't lie about your opponent and get away with.
Your taunts and insults won't dissuade me or the majority of my compatriots from morally supporting the best thing that has happpend to the U.S (politics)in the last decade or more. I just hope that patriotic Americans will put away there racial prejudices and select Mr. Obama, its not his fault that his mother fell in love with a black man, neither is it his fault that his mother married his step-father and ended going to where ever she went – a child has no say on such matters. America should – must come first at all times and not one's jaundiced views – the last 7+years and the next should be considered.
God bless American, Israel and Germany! – the countries always in my prayers.
PS: Obama's books are hot right now – went to ebay over here, too little offers, too many bidders – I hope my englisch is eligible enough(I tried my best!)