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As cancer treatment begins, Carter to scale back on work

Former President Jimmy Carter talks about his cancer diagnosis during a news conference at The Carter Center in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015. Carter announced that his cancer is on four small spots on his brain and he will immediately begin radiation treatment, saying he is "at ease with whatever comes." (AP Photo/Phil Skinner) Former President Jimmy Carter talks about his cancer diagnosis during a news conference at The Carter Center in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015. Carter announced that his cancer is on four small spots on his brain and he will immediately begin radiation treatment, saying he is "at ease with whatever comes." (AP Photo/Phil Skinner)

By Associated Press August 21, 2015 1 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – Former President Jimmy Carter says he’ll focus on his cancer treatment, faith and family in the coming weeks.

Carter on Thursday discussed his recent melanoma diagnosis for the first time in public, saying he would receive radiation therapy for four small tumors on his brain and injections of a newly approved drug to help his immune system find and destroy cancer cells.

Carter says he’s looking forward to birthday celebrations on Saturday for his wife, Rosalynn, in the couple’s hometown of Plains, Georgia. He also plans on teaching Sunday School at their small church. As much as he’s able, Carter says he’ll also continue teaching at Emory University in Atlanta and raising money for the Carter Center.

Carter will turn 91 on Oct. 1.