By Steve Holland and Tim Gaynor
FOUNTAIN HILLS, Arizona (Reuters) - Republican John McCainhas had no recurrence of a potentially deadly skin cancer andis generally in good health although he has had colon polypsand kidney stones, according to medical records released onFriday.
The Arizona senator, who turns 72 in August and would bethe oldest elected first-term president, "enjoys excellenthealth and displays extraordinary energy," said his physicianDr. John Eckstein.
"I can find no medical reason or problems that wouldpreclude Senator McCain from fulfilling all the duties andobligations of president of the United States," he said in astatement.
McCain's health records were made available to be viewed bya small group of reporters in Arizona in an effort to put torest lingering questions about his health and ability to handlethe rigors of the presidency.
An executive summary of McCain's records said he has noheart problems and was able to exercise at a high level in atreadmill stress test. He smoked two packs of cigarettes a dayfor 25 years until stopping in 1980.
The records showed that McCain has chronic shoulder painand moderate pain of the right knee from injuries he receivedwhen as he was shot down as Navy pilot and spent 5 1/2 years ina Vietnam prisoner of war camp.
Also, he has had some common health problems includingbenign colon polyps that were removed and kidney stones.
Major surgery on his face in 2000 removed a melanoma, askin cancer that can be deadly. The surgery left a noticeablescar and bulge down the left side of his face.
MELANOMAS REMOVED
One source of concern about McCain for many Americans ishis age, and McCain has sought to address any questions bypursuing a vigorous campaign, but until now has not releaseddetailed information about his health.
His likely Democratic opponent in the November election,Democratic Sen. Barack Obama will be 47 in August. Obama, abasketball player, says he has given up smoking but has notreleased his medical records.
The 400 pages of health records detailed McCain's strugglewith skin cancer in which four malignant melanomas were removedin 1993, 2000 and 2002. None of these represented a recurrenceof 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 mostrecent skin exam was May 12 and he has regular checkups everythree or four months.
"Other less serious skin cancers have been removed over theyears without complication. These have been non-melanoma basalcell and squamous cell cancers," the report said.
A doctor's report from a February 6 exam said he takes amedication to control his cholesterol, along with a babyaspirin, allergy medicine and occasionally uses thesleep-inducing drug Ambien.
The Arizona senator's health records showed his bloodpressure and weight are healthy and he has occasional bouts ofdizziness when he stands suddenly but which tests have shownare not a concern.
(Editing by Jackie Frank)
(To read more about the U.S. political campaign, visitReuters "Tales from the Trail: 2008" online athttp:/blogs.reuters.com/trail08/)
