(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Former US president and Nobel peace laureate Jimmy Carter said yesterday that he has cancerous tumours on his brain and will begin radiation treatment right away.
The 90-year-old Carter told a press conference that the finding of the four melanoma spots stemmed from a procedure in which a tumour was removed from his liver.
"They did an MRI and found that there were four spots of melanoma on my brain," Carter told reporters in Atlanta. "I get my first radiation treatment for the melanoma in my brain this afternoon."
Carter said that as his treatment continues, it is likely doctors will find cancer elsewhere in his body.
The 39th president sounded quite serene and in high spirits as he discussed his illness.
He joked with reporters and smiled often, his Georgia drawl still pronounced as he spoke.
Carter, a former peanut farmer who only served one term in office from 1977 to 1981, is arguably better known for his decades of globe-trotting humanitarian work since leaving the White House.
"I feel good. I haven't felt any weakness or debility," Carter said.
In fact, he said that he plans to carry on teaching Sunday school.
Carter said he has received well-wishing phone calls from a host of powerful people, including President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, former president Bill Clinton and his wife and presidential hopeful Hillary, and both former presidents Bush.
Carter said that after the cancer in his brain was diagnosed, he initially thought he was nearing the end of his life, but was still at ease.
"You know, I have had a wonderful life. I have got thousands of friends and I have had an exciting and adventurous and gratifying existence," Carter said.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.