Elder Bush Treated for Skin Malady

Former President Bush completed treatment last week for sun-induced keratoses on his face, a condition that can lead to a common form of skin cancer if left untreated, it was disclosed Saturday.

The explanation came as the 78-year-old former chief executive, his face marked by red splotches, joined his son, the current president, on the golf course at 6 a.m.

Asked about his condition, the elder Bush told reporters: “Fine--almost finished,” as he raised his hands, gesturing to his face.

The former president was treated by physicians from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. The clinic released a statement Saturday saying that Bush had been treated with the topical salve 5-fluorouracil. The medication was applied to areas of damage in the top layers of skin on both sides of his face.

Keratoses are changes in the size, shape or organization of skin cells. They are a fairly common result of overexposure to the sun.

“These are not skin cancers; they can be effectively treated and eliminated,” said the Mayo statement, which was distributed by a White House official at the golf course.

President Bush is spending a long weekend at his parents’ seaside compound. He returns to Washington on Monday and then heads to his Texas ranch.

According to the clinic statement, the treatment was applied over a two-week period ending July 28. The redness is caused by the inflammation of the keratoses after they are destroyed.

“Mr. Bush is currently in the healing phase, and the prognosis for total recovery is excellent,” the statement said.

At Cape Arundel Golf Club, father and son briefly chatted with reporters before starting their round.

The former president made light of his age as he teed up at the forward set of tees--to shorten the distance to the hole.

“I’m playing the ladies’ [tees]--78 years old,” Bush said.

After hitting a solid drive, the younger Bush turned to onlookers and quipped: “Let’s hear it--make the old boy feel better!”

Late Saturday afternoon, the president traveled by boat from Walker’s Point, site of the family compound, to nearby Prouts Neck to speak at a fund-raiser for Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and the state Republican Party.

At the helm of the Fidelity II speedboat was the elder Bush.

White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan said the fund-raiser was expected to raise $200,000 for Maine Republicans and $100,000 for Collins’ reelection campaign.

Collins is a first-term moderate known for her streak of independence. She is favored to defeat her Democratic challenger, Chellie Pingree, the former majority leader of the state Senate.

Although clad in a suit and tie, Bush seemed unusually relaxed as he disembarked from his father’s cigarette boat.

“This probably is the first political event that I’ve traveled to by boat. And I want to thank the boat’s captain, No. 41,” he said, a reference to his father being the nation’s 41st president.

In his remarks, Bush lavishly praised Collins’ record even as he playfully acknowledged her independence.

“I don’t do everything she says. She doesn’t do everything I say. But she’s an ally and I’m proud to call her a friend,” Bush said, chuckling.

At one point, the president leaned over to Collins and asked her if she had voted with him to repeal the inheritance tax. After she answered in the affirmative, Bush went on to call for a permanent repeal of the “death tax.”

With his father also on the stage, Bush reiterated his determination to seek a regime change in Iraq, although he did not mention President Saddam Hussein by name.

“I’ve got a lot of tools at my disposal,” Bush said. “This country will defend freedom no matter what the cost.”