John McCain's Mortality

     Regarding John McCain’s mortality, polls show many Americans are wary of voting for someone his age. At 72, he would be the oldest first–term president in history. While many Americans in their 70’s and 80’s are thriving and vital, we should look very closely.

   To show off his strong family genes, McCain often appears with his 95 year old mother, Roberta. She is lively and spry. However, genes come from both sides of the family. McCain’s father, John S. McCain Jr., died at age 70 while his grandfather, John S. McCain Sr., died at age 61.

   Actuarial tables inform us that a man aged 72 has about a 15% chance of not surviving four years and about a 32% chance (about 1 in 3) of not surviving eight years. (Social Security Administration 2004 actuarial tables)

    These statistics do not take into account the fact that John McCain has battled melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, since 1993, when he had a melanoma removed from his arm. In 2000, two more melanomas were removed plus a lymph node. In 2002, a lesion removed from his nose was identified as a non-malignant form of melanoma.

     A recent study concluded that “those with skin cancer ran twice the risk of developing other forms of cancer.” (Medical University of South Carolina at Charleston)

   This should give us pause when we note that, if John McCain is elected President, just a heart-beat away from the presidency is Sarah Palin.