After months of delay, Republican John McCain’s medical
records were released on Friday answering a series of concerns expressed about
his age and his ability to lead the United States.
Besides the records being released, a panel of four doctors answered
questions related to the senator’s health during a 45-minute news conference at
the CopperWyind Resort near the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.
According to the resume of the 1,173 of medical documents
spanning 2000 to 2008, McCain, who will turn 72 in August, appears generally in
good condition. However, his history puts him at increased risk for future skin
cancer, so he sees his dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona
every three to four months. This year, he had a minor skin cancer removed from
his lower leg.
The senator was diagnosed with invasive melanoma, the most
serious form of skin cancer, on his left temple in 2000. He has a scar and
swelling on his left cheek as a result of the operation to remove the cancer
that year. In his life, McCain has had four melanomas.
Dr. John D. Eckstein, McCain’s internist at the Mayo Clinic
told reporters that the senator is in “excellent health” and “displays
extraordinary energy.” He further added that “while it is important to predict
any person’s future health today, 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,” the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The doctors also said McCain has occasional momentary
episodes of dizziness when he suddenly stands up, high cholesterol, blood in
his urine from an enlarged prostate and kidney stones. Additionally, McCain had
his most recent colonoscopy in April, when six benign polyps were removed.
He also suffers from degenerative arthritis in his joints
from broken arms, legs and shoulders suffered when his plane crashed in Vietnam.
His medical records revealed that he takes simvastin to
control his cholesterol, hydrochlorothiazide for kidney stone prevention, aspirin
for blood clot prevention, Zyrtec for nasal allergies and a multiple vitamin
tablet.
McCain’s
Democratic opponents, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, 60, and Illinois
Se. Barack Obama, 46, have not released their medical records.
If
elected, McCain would be the oldest first-term president. However, McCain’s age
is not a problem for voters, according to recent national polls. Now that the
medical records are also in the open and do not reveal worrisome health
conditions, he is more than ready to compete.
