McCain has Another "Spot" Removed from His Face

[G-Man]

McCain has had four malignant melanomas a potentially lethal type of skin cancer --

BAKERSFIELD, California (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who has suffered from skin cancer in the past, had a spot removed from his face on Monday during a routine checkup by a doctor in Phoenix, an aide said.

"At this point it was just a precautionary removal," the aide told reporters on McCain's campaign plane.

The aide described the spot, on one of McCain's temples, as being

like a mole. It was visible on the side of his face

and covered with a bandage, the aide said.

McCain has had four malignant melanomas -- a potentially lethal type of skin cancer -- surgically removed since 1993.

Three of them were limited to the top layers of the skin and were not invasive.

The fourth melanoma was invasive and was removed from his left temple

in 2000. During that surgery, doctors also took out lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread. The lymph nodes showed no evidence of cancer.

Doctors have removed other less serious skin cancers, including basal cell and squamous cell cancers,

from McCain's skin without complication.

As a skin cancer survivor, McCain remains at risk for recurrence or new cancers. He gets a skin exam every three to four months.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2849967620080728




***his vice-pres choice will be very important as McCain may not live out a 4 year term

 

[SouthernGal]

Hm. Must have been his other face (two-faced!).

 

[kozanne]

My mother is a melanoma survivor. About 5 years past the 5 year survival mark. Having numerous basal and squamous cells removed is about par for the course. Having any skin 'oddities' removed is a very good, very conservative thing to do that promotes patient well being and longevity.

If someone is somehow disqualified for running for high office because they had cancer in the past, then we'd best start ruling out everybody that's ever had an ingrown toenail.....

 

[G-Man]

If someone is somehow disqualified for running for high office because they had cancer in the past,

This is a current report. It seems somewhat questionable whether he will make a 4 year term; could be a setup to get an unelected president in via vice-president office....JMHO....

 

[kozanne]

This is a current report. It seems somewhat questionable whether he will make a 4 year term; could be a setup to get an unelected president in via vice-president office....JMHO....

The report is current. But it does not say he has cancer again. It says a weird spot was removed from his face. If he is getting his quarterly checkups, he is doing a lot to prevent the cancer from returning. It's those who do not get their checkups, check their skin, use sunblock ALL OVER and generally don't pay attention that are in real trouble when undiagnosed melanoma has mets to the lungs [or elsewhere]. Then they are hosed.

Mother had a spot the size of a dime on the inside of her leg. They took a hole about 2 inches deep out of her leg to get to the melanoma which thanks be to God had not spread. She's blown way past the 5 year survival mark and still kicking heartily. I think Mr. McCain will be fine as long as he takes care of himself.

 

[Pass Go]

This is a current report. It seems somewhat questionable whether he will make a 4 year term; could be a setup to get an unelected president in via vice-president office....JMHO....

Wht else would "they" make McCain their man? I've been dying to see who he is going to favor as a choice for VP.

 

[Bret4207]

Ya know, this kind of strikes close to home. Every 6 months I go in and have half my face frozen off to remove suspect spots. That somehow means I'm unfit to hold office? Because I MIGHT get a cancer? Barack MIGHT get lung cancer since he smokes or Ron Paul MIGHT get colon cancer or Bob Barr MIGHT get prostrate cancer or Hillary MIGHT get breast cancer. Seems a bit........I dunno...like someone was looking for an excuse to declare him unfit. He may well be unfit to hold the office, that's a personal call. AFAIC it's why his choice of VP is important, to quell or stir up the issue. But just because he's taking care of himself? Nope.

 

[energy_wave]

McCain's immune system is breaking down from old age. Not good. Also not good that the cancer is so close to his brain.

 

[buff]

McCain's immune system is breaking down from old age. Not good. Also not good that the cancer is so close to his brain.

its skin cancer...my father has had several of the same procedures from being in the sun his whole life. (avid golfer)...

i don't think it can go to his brain...

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

I know that it's a long shot, and nobody but me thinks this is a real possibility, but I keep envisioning a situation where McCain's health does NOT allow him to continue the presidential race, and "Doktor" Bill Frist ends up running in his place. Prolly after the politiko doktor has some big photo op where he "saves the life" of McCain, or something that looks just as great infront of the TV cameras that just happen to be around when the "big event" happens....


OK, I know this scenerio is a long shot, butt....

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

Or alternatively, maybe the plan is to make him VP candidate and then he rises up to the top position after "the incident"...

Of course, he'll have to act the role of the Big Hero Life Saver in front of the TV cameras for all of this to play out....

 

[Bret4207]

its skin cancer...my father has had several of the same procedures from being in the sun his whole life. (avid golfer)...

i don't think it can go to his brain...

According to my doc, if left untreated long enough it can.

 

[buff]

According to my doc, if left untreated long enough it can.

must be why he got it treated...

 

[Uhhmmm...]

Dangerous or not...

This is the last thing that McCain wants on folks minds. It just reinforces his old age and his fragile condition. Old folks, a huge voting block, are only too familiar with their own infirmities and already worry enough about McCain's.

Americans do not need a president on chemotherapy. Who wants to vote for a man who may be too old to govern before his four years are up?

Perception is reality - regardless of how hearty you folks with skin cancer may feel.