Former president Jimmy Carter says cancer has spread to his brain

The former president celebrated his birthday in Atlanta, blowing out three candles representing the past, present and future.

Former US President Jimmy Carter takes questions from the media during a news conference about his recent cancer diagnosis and treatment plans, at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia August 20, 2015.[Photo/Agencies]

ATLANTA - Former US President Jimmy Carter said on Thursday that his cancer has spread to his brain and he will start radiation treatment for it later in the day, adding that his fate was "in the hands of God."

The 90-year-old received the diagnosis after having surgery to remove a tumour on his liver.

"I've had a wonderful life," he said in a press conference. "I had thousands of friends and an exciting and adventurous, gratifying existence. But now I feel it's in the hands of God whom I worship, and I'll be prepared for anything that comes."

Mr Carter said he had experienced only slight pain, and would begin radiation therapy on Thursday on the four "very small spots" of melanoma on his brain.

Mr Carter, a Democrat from Georgia, was elected president in 1976 following the Watergate crisis and the Vietnam War.

His one term in office largely imploded after supporters of the Iranian revolution took control of the American embassy in Tehran in 1979, keeping 52 Americans hostage for 14 months.

Asked yesterday if he had any regrets, Mr Carter said: "I wish I had sent one more helicopter to get the hostages [in Iran], and we would have rescued them, and I would have been re-elected.” He was defeated by Ronald Reagan in 1980.

Carter is the second-oldest living president, separated by just over 100 days in age from George H.W. Bush. Carter, the 39th president, served in the White House from 1977 to 1981.

After his presidency, he has continued his humanitarian and human rights work through the Carter Center. It was for that work that he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

For now, he noted that his cancer treatment will become his "top priority."

"The Carter Center is well prepared to continue on without any handicap," Carter noted .

Several members of Carter's immediate family -- his brother, two sisters, his mother and father -- have all died from cancer.

Beyond his international travel schedule, Carter and his wife of 69 years, Rosalynn, have maintained a life in Plains, Ga., his hometown. He noted that he doesn't expect cancer treatment to halt his usual contributions to his place of worship, Maranatha Baptist Church.

"I plan to teach Sunday school this Sunday -- and every Sunday as long as I'm physically and mentally able," Carter said.

Mr Carter was cheerful yesterday as he reflected on his life and discussed the "new adventure" ahead.  

"I think I have been as blessed as any human being in the world," he said as he listed off his accomplishments - governor of Georgia, president of the United States, and patriarch of a large and harmonious family.

"The best thing I ever did was marrying Rosalynn," he said of his wife and the former first lady. "That's the pinnacle of my life and we've had 69 years together."

He thanked the many people who had sent well wishes, including former presidents Bill Clinton, George W and George HW Bush, as well as president Barack Obama and members of his administration. In a moment of humour, he laughed and said it was the "first time they have called in a long time."

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and current Secretary of State John Kerry have also called to wish him well.

Carter spoke to a full room of journalists, reflecting on -- and occasionally joking about -- his legacy in the White House and as a global humanitarian. - Reuters