One of Australia’s most respected cancer researchers has shared a confronting update on his health, just months after doctors believed he would no longer be alive.
Professor Richard Scolyer is continuing his fight against an incurable grade four glioblastoma, with signs that his condition is now beginning to decline.
The 57-year-old was diagnosed in 2023 with the aggressive brain tumour, a devastating twist for a man who has spent his career helping others survive cancer. Earlier this year, in March, he revealed a prognosis of just three months. Now, nine months on, he is still defying expectations.
“In some ways, I feel embarrassed that I’m still here,” Professor Scolyer told A Current Affair.
“It’s different to how it was predicted things would happen. For whatever reason, I’m still here. Even more than that. I’m not just here. I can participate in life, enjoy people’s company and still try and make contributions to this problem of brain cancer.”
As one of the country’s leading melanoma experts, Scolyer and fellow researcher Professor Georgina Long helped pioneer the immunotherapy breakthroughs now used around the world.
In 2023, the pair made a bold decision to adapt their melanoma approach to treat Scolyer’s own tumour. For several months, the experimental treatment showed promise, but by February, the cancer had returned.
Now, he says his memory has started to worsen as the tumour grows.
“It’s definitely going downhill. It’s a little frustrating,” he said.
“I write on my hand actually, because sometimes I can’t remember the names … the kids’ names! We’ve got two daughters, and I get them wrong.”
His running, a lifelong passion, has also been affected, which is a “heartbreaking” change that he admits has been difficult to accept.
Some days remain good, others far more challenging.
“I tend to talk on the positive side of things and I don’t want to get people down,” he said.
“But the truth is everyone has good and bad days, and things are going up and down, and I certainly have that same experience.”
Despite the decline, Scolyer says he is focused on what he can still enjoy, including Christmas with family and several overseas trips planned for next year.
“For some reason, I’m still going strong. It excites me to still be here,” he said.
He is also preparing to take part in the Tour de Cure next March and continues supporting research however he can.
Scolyer, who was named Australian of the Year alongside Professor Long, has been publicly documenting his treatment in the hope it will help future patients.
His impact has already been recognised at the highest level, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently announcing a new national research centre named in honour of the pair, dedicated to improving outcomes for people with melanoma and brain cancer.
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