MCCAIN'S BOUTS WITH SKIN CANCER SERVE AS A GOOD CAUTION FOR ALL OF US

Arizona Sen. John McCain underwent surgery week before last for not one, but two instances of melanoma, one on his shoulder and another on his left temple. This isn't McCain's first brush with this potentially deadly form of skin cancer. In 1993 he beat it by catching it early and having the necessary surgery to excise the cancerous lesion.

Youth, goes the old saying, is a wonderful thing, but 'tis a pity it is wasted on the young. This adage fits here, as McCain himself acknowledged. The senator attributed his bouts with this life-threatening skin cancer to his youthful habit of over-exposure to the sun's rays.

The key with melanoma, doctors say, is catching it early, before it has spread to the lymph nodes and other organs. In McCain's case, the doctors report that as with his first episode, their most recent operation was successful in ridding him of it before it had spread. We also note with pride that at Phoenix's internationally renowned Mayo Clinic, one doctor in on the surgery was Cape native Dr. Michael Hinni.

The lesson for all is the old wisdom: In all things, moderation. That especially includes exposure to the sun's rays and to tanning salons. Exposing animal skins to the sun is how leather is made, and how human skin is aged prematurely. If that is what you want, go ahead. If, on the other hand you are sensible in this, then by all means protect yourself against too much sun exposure, especially during the peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Use sunscreen and practice moderation, and perhaps the increase in melanoma can be curbed.