Bush has four lesions removed from face

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Following up on a physical examination he had in August, President Bush had four benign skin lesions removed from his cheeks, forehead and temple on Friday, according to a statement released by the White House.

"No biopsies were indicated, nor were any taken," the statement read.

The lesions on his cheeks were an early form of "actinic keratoses" and removed during a procedure in the White House Medical Unit. The lesions were "frozen" with liquid nitrogen. The lesion on his forehead and temple were "seborrheic keratoses" and were also frozen in the same fashion and removed.

The White House released the information after reporters began to question the conspicuously large scars on the president's face during an event commemorating Eid al Fitr, a Muslim holiday.

Bush is known for sometimes jogging in the sun or working outdoors when he returns to his Crawford, Texas, ranch. The statement said he routinely uses sunscreen and periodic evaluations.

The president underwent his annual physical examination on Aug.4 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and was deemed in good health by a team of 13 physicians and Dr. Richard J. Tubb, director of the White House Medical Unit and the president's personal physician. Those lesions were identified that day, but then it was said no treatment was necessary.