John McCain and Skin Cancer

Senator McCain will be monitored every 3 months with a full body skin exam to look for new or suspicious moles.  It is curious that he has had multiple melanomas, as having as many as four melanomas diagnosed within several years is uncommon.  This likely is the result of excessive sun exposure from when he was younger although there may be genetic and other environmental factors that remain unknown.  Because his health is very closely monitored, I expect that any new skin cancer would be discovered at a very early stage.  It is difficult to place odds on if he will develop new skin cancers or complications from the facial melanoma so it is not clear how and if this should affect his campaign.

Hopefully, we can also learn from his experience on how serious skin cancer can be and protect ourselves from the sun.  Senator McCain is from a generation in which sunscreen and sun protection were not priorities, but we now know a lot more about the effects of the sun and ways in which to protect ourselves.  So use sunscreen, avoid suntanning, and be a part of our democratic process and vote in November!