MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BP) - "I am doing well," Adrian Rogers said June 16, for someone "in my category" of battling cancer.

"I am optimistic about full remission," the former Southern Baptist Convention president said after spending three days at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and returning June 16 to his Memphis-area home.

Speaking in a clear, conversational voice that sounded pulpit-ready, Rogers told Baptist Press he is grateful for the prayers of Southern Baptists for his recovery from colon cancer that has metastasized onto his liver.

Cancerous polyps were found in a routine colonoscopy that prompted surgery to remove part of his colon May 16.

Rogers, who retired earlier this year after 32 years as pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., said he and the doctors at M.D. Anderson "have made plans for a treatment to attack this malignancy and I expect to continue to do my full work and continue with the [Love Worth Finding] radio-television ministry and the pastor training ministry and teaching at Mid-America Seminary [in Memphis].

Rogers said he will undergo two chemotherapy treatments per month "for the foreseeable future."

Rogers was elected SBC president in 1979, 1986 and 1987. It was his first election, 26 years ago this week at the SBC annual meeting in Houston, which is credited with starting the conservative resurgence.