Top cancer researcher Professor Richard Scolyer has said he’s ‘worried’ about the results of the first MRI scan he’s had since his stage four brain cancer returned.
The 2024 Australian of the Year was diagnosed with an ‘incurable’ grade four brain cancer in June 2023 after he suffered headaches and seizures while on holiday.
The 58-year-old had experimental treatment based on melanoma science and experienced no sign of cancer recurrence for almost two years.
The treatment was developed by Georgina Long from the Melanoma Institute, who was jointly given the Australian of Year award with Professor Scolyer.
But in March this year, the father-of-three revealed the cancer had returned. Earlier this week he shared that he may have just months ‘or less’ to live.
The University of Sydney academic on Friday shared his fears for the results of an MRI, the first ‘proper’ scan he has had since undergoing brain surgery in March.
‘Depending on what the scan shows, it will help choose what are the next forms of therapies I can have to see where I need to go from here,’ he said.
‘I guess I’m a little up and down with all this that’s going on, it’s a tough journey at times. Some times I’m happy to have fun but some of the therapies have knocked me around a bit so I can’t do some of the things I love doing.
Top cancer researcher Professor Richard Scolyer (pictured on Friday) has admitted he’s ‘worried’ about the results of the first MRI scan he’s had since his brain cancer returned
Professor Scolyer and his wife Katie (pictured) have three children
‘I’m still having a fun time at home with my kids, they’ve been very kind as well as my beautiful wife Katie has, who’s been using her incredible intellect to help me speak to different doctors about various options that are available.
‘Fingers crossed this operation isn’t so bad and we can move forward with the next form of therapy and hopefully push things along faster to try and get things open up for many, many patients who have got glioblastoma.
‘To see if we can make a difference in the tumour. Things haven’t been as successful for some time but hopefully things will move forward in the right direction.’
It comes just days after Professor Scolyer revealed he may only have months to live.
‘I’m still here and still able to chat to you so I’m pretty pleased about that,’ Professor Scolyer told ABC News Breakfast on Thursday.
‘Who knows how long I’ve got. Could be months, could be less,’ he said.
‘I love my life. I love the interactions I have with so many people… I have focused down on the things that I like doing. Spending more time with my family is number one, but also contributing to society. It’s something I’ve done for a long, long time.’
The professor also shared some life advice for Australians in the face of a terminal illness and insisted he ‘loved’ his life despite it being cut short.
Professor Scolyer and Georgina Long were jointly given the Australian of Year award in 2024
He revealed in March this year his brain cancer had returned – and he may have months to live
The former Australian of the Year underwent brain surgery in March this year
‘Enjoy your life. Be passionate about it,’ he said.
‘Enjoy hanging out with the people that you love, and yeah, enjoy it.’
Professor Scolyer had initially been diagnosed with a glioblastoma, which has a particularly aggressive nature – most sufferers survive less than a year.
The bulk of the tumour was stripped shortly after the diagnosis.
Then followed a series of experimental therapies based on his own melanoma research, including immunotherapy, ‘debulking’ surgery and a ‘cancer vaccine’.
In May last year, the University of Sydney professor declared that he had been cancer-free for nearly 12 months.
But five months later, the decorated scientist revealed an MRI had shown an area of concern. He underwent exploratory surgery which confirmed the diagnosis.
The 2021 Order of Australia recipient remains philosophical about his journey, stating that he ‘just wants to make a difference’.
Professor Scolyer is also a prolific author, having penned more than 700 publications and book chapters on melanoma pathology.
He has garnered a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer experts.
