Jimmy Carter to undergo radiation therapy

Former US president and Nobel peace laureate Jimmy Carter says he has cancerous tumors 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 tumor 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 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.

“First time they’ve called me in a long time,” Carter joked, drawing guffaws at a news conference that seemed almost light hearted.

— AFP