Former President Jimmy Carter Announces Melanoma Diagnosis

Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter

Former US President Jimmy Carter announced that melanoma was found on four different spots of his brain, as well as on his liver, in a press conference held Thursday, August 20, 2015 in Atlanta.

“I thought it was confined to my liver, and that the operation had completely removed it, so I was quite relieved. That same afternoon, we had an MRI of my head and neck, and it showed up that it was already in four places of my brain,” said Jimmy Carter, who is 90 years of age.

Carter’s symptoms first appeared earlier this year, during a trip to Guyana. A tumor was found on his liver on August 3, 2015, which measured about 2 ½ cubic centimeters. He explained that about 85 cubic centimeters, 1/10 of his liver, was removed during the operation. The biopsy showed melanoma.

“I just thought I had a few weeks left, but I was surprisingly at ease. I have had a wonderful life.” The former president said he will undergo four treatments in 3-week intervals.

Carter was optimistic and chose to rely on his faith for the future of his treatment, which he announced would begin that Thursday afternoon with radiation therapy. Former presidents George H. W. and George W. Bush, as well as Secretary of State John Kerry, called Carter to offer their support.

Sadly, Carter has a family history of pancreatic cancer. In fact, his father, brother, and two sisters passed away from the disease. His mother died of breast cancer, which later spread to her pancreas.

While he plans to cut back on his business travels, Carter hopes to still travel to Nepal later this year for “Habitat for Humanity.”

“Now I feel this is in the hands of God, whom I worship, and I will be prepared for anything that comes,” concludes Carter.

CNN. Jimmy Carter on cancer: Future in God’s hands.http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/20/politics/jimmy-carter-cancer-update/. Accessed on August 20, 2015.