By Steve Holland and Tim Gaynor
FOUNTAIN HILLS, Arizona (Reuters) - Republican John McCainwas deemed by his doctors on Friday to be in sufficient goodhealth to serve as U.S. president even as they reported a longhistory of skin cancer, colon polyps, kidney stones anddizziness.
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 by the MayoClinic of nearby Scottsdale to a small group of reporters. TheMcCain campaign organized the release to try put to restlingering questions about his health and ability to handle therigors 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. Asrecently as March 29, McCain had a total of six polyps removedduring a colonoscopy.
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 1,173 pages of health records detailed McCain'sstruggle with skin cancer in which four malignant melanomaswere removed in 1993, 2000 and 2002. None of these representeda recurrence of any previous melanoma, a summary of the reportsaid.
Of the most serious bout, the melanoma removed in 2000,there has been no evidence that the cancer spread, and his skindoctor, Suzanne Connolly, noted that the period of greatestrisk for a recurrence is within the first few years.
A review of the records showed he has had frequent removalsof sun-exposure related growths, the most recent when "a veryearly squamous cell carcinoma" was excised by shave biopsy fromhis right upper shin in February.
His most recent skin exam was May 12 and he has regularcheckups every three 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.
McCain's health records showed his blood pressure andweight are healthy. He has occasional bouts of dizziness whenhe stands suddenly, but tests have shown they are not aconcern.
A doctor's report from a February 6 exam said he takesmedicine to control his cholesterol, along with a baby aspirin,allergy medicine and occasionally uses the sleep-inducing drugAmbien.
A regular drinker in his young days, he now has about twoalcoholic drinks a month.
(Editing by Jackie Frank and Vicki Allen)
(To read more about the U.S. political campaign, visitReuters "Tales from the Trail: 2008" online athttp:/blogs.reuters.com/trail08/)
