Health screening: McCain plays down cancer fears

John McCain declared he has been cancer-free since a bout with skin cancer seven-and-a-half years ago, although the pending Republican presidential nominee underwent a full medical examination — including a cancer screening.

The Arizona senator pledged to release the test results before the end of April, the same timeframe for releasing his income tax returns.

Mr McCain cast the doctor’s visit as a routine part of his medical regimen, but the 71-year-old senator has faced questions about whether he is beyond the risk of a recurrence of cancer.

In August 2000, doctors operated on his face to treat melanoma, the source of a cancerous growth on his temple.

“Everything’s fine,” said Mr McCain. “Like most Americans, I go see my doctor fairly frequently.”

Later, during a flight to St Louis, Missouri, Mr McCain was asked if he was cancer-free. “Oh yeah,” he said.