BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. - Presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain, who has a history of melanomas, had a spot of skin removed from his face Monday, his campaign said.

The patch of skin was removed from McCain's right cheek during a routine checkup in Arizona, the candidate said. In 2000, an invasive melanoma was removed from the senator's left temple.

"As I do every three months, I visited my dermatologist this morning and she said I was doing fine," said the candidate, wearing a baseball cap as he usually does when in the sun to protect his fair complexion. "She took a small little nick from my cheek, as she does regularly, and that will be biopsied just to make sure everything is fine."

McCain, 71, who gets an exam every three to four months because he is a skin cancer survivor, urged people to stay out of the sun and, when they venture outdoors, to wear plenty of sunscreen.

Michael Yardley, head of public affairs for the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., called it "a routine minor procedure." Results were expected today.

Also Monday, McCain renewed his criticism of Democrat Barack Obama for opposing oil drilling off the U.S. coast, calling it an essential part of any plan to lower gas prices and reduce dependence on foreign sources.

"We all know that a comprehensive solution is wind, tide, solar," McCain said after touring San Joaquin Facilities Management, an oil company. "In the meantime ... it will be vital that we continue oil production at a high level, including offshore drilling."

McCain called Obama the "Dr. No" of energy. However, McCain reversed himself just last month after years of opposition and called for lifting the federal ban on oil drilling off the U.S. coast.

McCain's views could be troublesome in California, where he was attending several fundraisers. The state has seen its share of offshore oil spills and Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a McCain ally, opposes such drilling and has spoken of one day serving as the "energy czar" in an Obama administration.

NEWS SERVICES