Jimmy Carter Cancer News: Former President Still Taking Treatments

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Jan 26, 2016 05:35 AM EST

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, while having said earlier that doctors didn't find any cancer in him, is still undergoing cancer treatments.

The 91-year-old gentleman told Entertainment Tonight in an interview that he still struggles with the cancer that he has been fighting for some time now.

"They haven't detected any cancer, but sometimes the cancer spots [return], including in my brain," Carter said.

Despite the struggle, Carter reportedly said that his body responds well to the treatments that he receives.

"I'll continue [receiving treatments] until the doctors tell me I don't have to anymore," the statesman said. "My immune system seems to be responding positively," he added.

Carter revealed in August 2015 that he will be going through radiation treatment for several melanoma spots found in his brain, NBC News reported. At that time, he added that he will be prepared for anything that he might face while having the disease.

Then in December, the former president announced to his churchmates at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia that the cancer is gone. This church is where he usually teaches Sunday School.

"When I went (for an MRI) this week they didn't find any cancer at all," he said at that time.

At that time, he also released a statement through the Carter Center. "My most recent MRI brain scan did not reveal any signs of the original cancer spots nor any new ones," he said. "I will continue to receive regular 3-week immunotherapy treatments of pembrolizumab."

Although the earlier announcement might have been premature, ET says that Carter appears to be strong in the fight against cancer. And while many others have been inspired by his fortitude in the fight against the disease, the former president credits his inspiration to his wife of 69 years, Rosalynn Carter.

"Her support has helped me the last 69 years that we've been married, in everything I've tried," Carter told ET. "Of course when I was ill, they thought I might die any time, and she was there for me.”

“She grieved with me and was excited with me when I found out that my metabolism responded well to the treatment," the husband said.

The former president stayed active even while being treated for the disease. Along with his wife, Jimmy Carter has been volunteering for nonprofit group Habitat for Humanity, as well as the Carter Center.

Carter's family has had a history of pancreatic cancer. It has been reported that his father, sisters and brother all died of pancreatic cancer. His mother also had pancreatic cancer.

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